[center] [h1][color=yellow][b][u]Karamir[/u][/b][/color][/h1] [/center] [hr] [color=yellow]"Mana is everywhere,"[/color] Karamir told the eight Vallamir who stood before him, Valys and Lena among them. It was these six who had the natural power to use mana, and so it was these six he would teach. [color=yellow]"Every element, every living thing... they all have their own type. When you manipulate an element, like fire or water, it is the specific type of mana within the element that you are controlling. Then there is raw mana... it can be converted into any other form of mana, but that requires more effort, and it can be dangerous. It would be wise to avoid wielding it until mastery over the safer types has been achieved,"[/color] he lectured. He then coached them through the process of harnessing mana. Find the object they intend to manipulate, and have them focus on the mana inside of it until they can move it with nothing more than their mind. As a mortal, it had taken Karamir much time and dedication before he could do anything noteworthy. He found, however, that with a simple touch, he could [i]will[/i] that their own progress advance faster. He had no intention of making them masters overnight, no. He had practiced for years just to reach his own level of adeptness, and if he instantly brought them to that level they would take it for granted, or misuse it - either accidentally or deliberately. Valys had decided to focus on the manipulation of plants, while Lena focused on the ground itself. Others focused on air, as Karamir himself had started with, or water. Due to his minor blessings, they had already made ample progress. He left them to their practice, and walked the village grounds. The mood was still sombre. The Cataclysm was still fresh on their memory, and they had only heard of Kalmar's death yesterday. Some believed another tragedy would befall them soon, and Karamir wanted to promise them it wouldn't... but he could not make such a guarantee. And now, he could hear whispers. Prayers. Those he had met and taught now turned their faith toward him instead. Some were for common problems, or small requests. [i]May my Hunt be bountiful. Grant me the strength to overcome this fever. May my next child be a boy.[/i] Others were more grim. [i]My brother is dying. I haven't eaten in days.[/i] All were beyond his ability to immediately solve. Karamir wished he could help, but where were they? And who did he answer first? He realized it would only get worse as his name continued to spread. There were thousands upon thousands of Vallamir, Kalmar had told him. And that wasn't even getting to the Jotnar, or the followers Kalmar had elsewhere. Once Karamir made his name known to them... Already, divinity felt like a tremendous weight on his shoulders, threatening to crush him and grind him into the ground. As it stood, he had no choice but to harden his heart and continue doing his work where he was. But as that decision was made, he felt as if a piece of him had slipped away. He swallowed the lump in his throat. No wonder father was always so grim... [hr] He had decided to unlock the potential for mana in nearly a dozen other Vallamir who seemed worthy enough. This had been one of his father's creations, and so he wanted to ensure they had the means to protect it even when he was not around. And to protect each other, too. Perhaps if more people knew this ability, the prayers would diminish. However... His hand fell to the scar in his side. The Vallamir he had met thus far were hospitable enough, but he knew that the other species had their moments of treachery and cruelty. Realistically, how could he expect his own species to be immune to such impulses? "Everything alright?" Karamir turned and was unsurprised to see that it was Karlyn who spoke. No other Vallamir would have so casually approached him and asked what was on his mind. Karamir merely shrugged in response. [color=yellow]"I'm fine. Just thinking."[/color] "Always good to think about things, isn't it?" Karlyn asked with a smirk, to which Karamir only nodded. "We're in grim times, aren't we?" Karlyn continued, the smirk vanishing. "The sky nearly fell... our god is dead... and who knows what else awaits us? I've been paying attention to the mood around here. Look at them," he gestured to the Vallamir around the camp. "they're frightened. Scared." [color=yellow]"I noticed."[/color] Karamir said, not following his hands. "But," Karlyn continued. "I think that will pass with time. They're frightened and scared, yes, but they're relieved too. You're here, and you're taking the time to talk to them, and you're showing them a power they never even knew existed. That gives them hope. When their grief is gone, that hope will remain, I think." [color=yellow]"You think?"[/color] Karamir asked. "I know," Karlyn corrected. "Faith is what holds us together. We were called here for a common purpose. We believed Kalmar favoured us, that he watched over us. To be honest," he looked around to ensure nobody was eavesdropping. "I don't truly know how much Kalmar did for us beyond giving us this place, or how closely he was watching us. It doesn't matter. Whatever it was, he did enough. It was this common purpose, this faith, this belief, that binded us together... more closely than Valys or I ever could." "But with Kalmar dead," Karlyn continued. "That faith is broken. Or at least, it would have been if you hadn't stepped up. Like your father, you gave us something to believe in, and a goal to work toward. The rest is on us." [color=yellow]"What do you mean?"[/color] Karamir asked. "I'm saying you've given us all we need. Thank you for that. Now there are others throughout Kalgrun who could use your aid." He shrugged. "I'm not saying you [i]have[/i] to leave. I don't think even Valys has the right to send you away. It's just a suggestion. With your leave?" He did a half-turn, about to walk away. Karamir nodded, and Karlyn departed. Of course, he was going to leave at some point. He didn't need Karlyn to tell him that. What he was waiting for was the moment in which they were ready for him to leave... which Karlyn had just assured them they were. Perhaps it was time to leave. A distant screech was heard, followed by the distant cracking and splintering of trees. Vallamir throughout the camp froze in sudden shock and terror. "Spears and Slings!" Myla shouted, spurring them to action. "To me!" Okay... perhaps it was not... A colossal black griffin was the first to appear, flying over the wall and landing upon the temple roof. The Vallamir who had grabbed weapons and assembled around Myla froze. They lowered their weapons, evidently realizing there was little they could do against such a creature... but why did they appear relieved? The griffin fixated its gaze on Karamir. Karamir drew his weapon, and summoned raw mana to his hand, forming a fireball. The splintering and crashing of timber came closer, and then two figures appeared above the wall. The first was a massive troll, nearly ten times the wall in height. The second was a huge wolf, its head resting on the wall itself. He had seen it before. It was familiar. But... it was missing an eye. Then he recalled one of his telepathic conversations with Kalmar, from long ago, and he realized what - no, [i]who[/i] - he was facing. "Fenris," he said, eyes wide. "Gorm... Shynir..." The latter two he never met, but he knew by description. [hr] Karamir had led them away from the Temple. Though their presence was familiar enough to the inhabitants that they did not view them as threats, it was still offputting nonetheless. Once they were far enough away, Karamir, floating above the trees, turned to them. [color=yellow]"Why... why are you here?"[/color] he asked, unsure if they could understand him. "Father... dead..." Gorm spoke, somehow managing to convey grief through his deep, rough, animalistic voice. Fenris reared his head back and let out a mournful howl. Shynir's head drooped in sadness. "Felt it..." she squawked. In that moment Karamir felt pity. Kalmar had not mentioned what should be done with them. He supposed they were meant to answer to him now, but is that what they deserved? If he, Roog, and Makab could be considered Kalmar's children, were these three beasts not Kalmar's children too? Two of them were older than he was, and like him they had been Kalmar's creations alone. When he thought about it, they were the closest thing he had to family. And in that moment, he realized family was something he desperately wanted. [color=yellow]"We can't speak like this,"[/color] he suddenly said, an idea springing into his head. [color=yellow]"You have been walking this land. Protecting it. Watching its people. But you've never been able to speak to them, to walk [i]among[/i] them, to know how they live, have you?"[/color] The three beasts shook their heads, confused at the sudden change in topic. [color=yellow]"Do you want that to change?"[/color] he asked next. The beasts exchanged glances. And then, reluctantly, they nodded. Karamir took a deep breath, unsure if what he was about to attempt would work. He looked to Fenris, and imagined the wolf in the form of a Vallamir. He did not imagine any specific features for this Vallamir; instead deciding that Fenris should have the right to choose that himself. Instead he simply poured power into the wolf. Then Fenris began to change. Slowly, inch by inch, foot by foot, shrinking down into his new form. Karamir blinked. It was incredible. All he had to do was imagine... and his imagination could become reality. The transformation had not been swift. It took a few minutes, at least. But when it was done, Fenris stood before him in the form of the Vallamir. Interestingly enough, the dark wolf had chosen pale skin, white hair, and grey eyes - not unlike that of Valys. He was six-and-a-half feet in height, and well-built. He glanced down at his new form, staring at his hands, and then up at Karamir. "This is... strange..." Fenris said, testing out his voice - it was somewhat gruff, closely resembling Kalmar's. [color=yellow]"Try to change back,"[/color] Karamir suggested. Fenris did change back. The process took just as long, but when it was complete he was back in his full form without a single error or mishap. Karamir sighed with relief. While Fenris changed back to his Vallamir form once again, Karamir turned to Shynir and Gorm, and did the same. But this time, changing Gorm had left him winded. Still, he pressed on, and went to change Shynir as well. He succeeded, but he found himself gasping, and when he lowered himself to the ground he fell to his knees. All three beasts looked at him in concern, but there was little they could do to help as they still shrank and shifted. Even gods had limits to their powers. Kalmar had told him that. And he wasn't even a god. He needed to be more careful... After a few moments he had his breathing back under control, and after a little while longer he was able to rise back to his feet. He watched his three siblings go through the final stages of their transformation, and noted which forms they took. There was, of course, Fenris with his white hair. Then there was Gorm, standing at seven feet in height, bald with bronze skin, a short black beard, and golden eyes. Lastly there was Shynir, who had taken the form of a voluptuous black-haired and golden-eyed Vallamir woman, six feet in height. Her lips curled into a smirk as she took in her own form. Then a massive smile crossed Gorm's face. Her expresssion shifted to surprise and then fear as he wrapped his arms around her, hoisted her into the air, and squeezed. Her arms were pinned, but she could not fight back. A rather disturbing crack was heard which made Shynir hiss in pain and Karamir wince. Then Gorm set her down. "This is wonderful!" He laughed, as Shynir dropped to her knees. Karamir rushed to her side to make sure she was alright. Meanwhile, Gorm moved on to Fenris. "No, no," the man-wolf protested as he backed away. Not as used to two legs as his bipedal brother, he tripped over the stump of a tree he had previously knocked over. "Stand down!" Even then he tried to scooch away, but Gorm wrapped his arms around him and lifted him off the ground. Another crack. [color=yellow]"Gorm, that's enough!"[/color] Karamir protested, and Gorm obediently let Fenris go. "Little brother!" Gorm said with a wide smile, turning to him. "Thank you for this! We now speak as equals! Don't worry. Plenty of hugs to go around!" Then the man-troll stepped toward him, outstretching his arms once again. [color=yellow]"Not one step further!"[/color] Karamir shouted, the sudden forcefulness of his voice stopping Gorm in his tracks. Then, Karamir reached down to help Shynir to her feet. A smirk crossed her face as she took his hand, then wrapped an arm around him and pulled him in close for a hug of her own - this one much gentler. And Karamir suddenly felt uncomfortable. He pulled away, much to Shynir's disappointment. [color=yellow]"You all need clothes,"[/color] he told them, matter-of-factly. [hr] [hider=Post Summary] Karamir teaches some of Kalmar's Chosen how to wield mana. He gives them some blessings so they learn a bit quicker. Then he leaves them to their studies and begins to reflect on his new role as a god. He is already receiving prayers for aid, but most are beyond his means to answer, so he has no choice but to harden his heart. He then considers the implications of giving the gift of mana to Vallamir society. He recalls his meeting with Laurien and how some mortals are just shitty people. He fears that his own people may one day abuse what he is teaching them. Then Karlyn shows up and talks to him a bit about the importance of faith and leadership. He also says that things at the Oracle are pretty much under control, so Karamir should go help the Vallamir elsewhere. He's about to leave but then Shynir, Gorm, and Fenris appear. He takes them out to the woods, because all three of them being at the Temple at once was spooking the Chosen. He tries to talk to them, but only Gorm and Shynir demonstrate any capacity for speech, and it doesn't come easily. Karamir decides to grant them all Vallamir forms so they may speak as equals and communicate more easily. Gorm is particularly excited. Hijinks ensue. [/hider] [hider=MP Summary] [u]Karamir, God of Mana[/u] [b]Beginning MP:[/b] 2 [b]Beginning FP:[/b] 4 -1MP (discounted to 0) to teach mana. -1MP (discounted to 0) to bless the natural mana-wielders in Kalmar's Chosen so that their magic develops more quickly. -1MP (discounted to 0) to unlock the potential for mana in a few others. -2MP to grant the three Beasts of Kalmar the ability to assume Vallamir forms (+2 toward Shapeshifting portfolio.) [b]Ending MP:[/b] 0 [b]Ending FP:[/b] 4 [/hider]