[center] [h1][color=yellow][b][u]Karamir[/u][/b][/color][/h1] & [h1][color=DarkGray][b][u]Abanoc[/u][/b][/color][/h1] [/center] [hr] Karamir had been reluctant to leave the Eye of Desolation, and yet, he had to. For despite what he felt for Arya, and what she felt for him, there was still much he had to do. His original ambition - uniting the mortal races by creating a haven for them - still stood, yet he had another goal in mind as well: prevent Laurien from wrecking any further havoc. And so, he hesitantly bid her farewell, but not before devising a plan in case Laurien ever attempt to approach one of them in a different form again. Arya had also presented him with the gift she had originally intended to give him: a magical rose, which projected an aura of emotional comfort. He pinned it to his chest in order to keep it close. He would need to give her a gift in return - that was another objective, but it was admittedly far less pressing than the other two. Now, the platform upon which the Stone Book sat came into view. He touched down upon it, and then strode toward the book itself. [color=yellow][i]Abanoc,[/i][/color] he prayed, coming to a stop just before the pages, [color=yellow][i]can I come in?[/i][/color] Light filled his vision for a few moments. The whiteness gave way to the familiar sight of the Observatory. [color=DarkGray]“Karamir.”[/color] Abanoc stood from his throne and walked down the steps. [color=DarkGray]“Did I ever say you needed permission to come?”[/color] Now standing level with him, Abanoc gave him a slight bow. [color=DarkGray]“Welcome back.”[/color] [color=yellow]“You did not,”[/color] Karamir said, returning the bow. [color=yellow]“But I still thought it best to ask.”[/color] [color=DarkGray]“There is no need for formalities. Especially not now that we are on a more equal standing. A shame it came at the cost of Kalmar’s life, but there was nothing that could be done.”[/color] Karamir nodded grimly. [color=yellow]“Yes,”[/color] he said, his voice somewhat empty, and then after a moment he decided to say something more. [color=yellow]“I haven’t claimed his sphere yet. To be honest, I don’t know how I would do such a thing… but in the meantime, I’ve been teaching others how to use mana, and spreading the news of Kalmar’s death.”[/color] [color=DarkGray]“It would be no easy task to claim your parent’s inheritance. To date none have achieved such an act, so I fear I cannot be of much assistance on that matter.”[/color] Abanoc look to the side in thought for a moment then looked back at Karamir. [color=DarkGray]“But I can help with the information you seek. What do you wish to learn?”[/color] [color=yellow]“Many things. I’m not sure where to begin,”[/color] Karamir admitted. [color=yellow]“I want to find a way to transport large groups of people to Kalgrun. They’re also going to need places to live… and I’ve seen large settlements before, but most were deeply flawed, so I’ll need to figure out how to avoid recreating those mistakes. Then there’s also Laurien to consider…”[/color] he sighed. [color=DarkGray]“Caravans, perhaps. With the assistance of beasts of labour transferring large groups of people would be trivial. As for the settlement you wish to create, you would need to understand architecture. I harbor the information you need, but my Archive does not in all the details that you need. Mnemosyne.”[/color] He called the muse. [color=OldLace]“Yes, Master.”[/color] She came to them and gave Karamir a soft smile and bowed in greeting. [color=DarkGray]“It would be faster to directly transfer my knowledge through Mnemosyne. You already know the procedure. Are you prepared?”[/color] Karamir nodded. Mnemosyne reached out for Karamir’s face and softly held it in her hands. Abanoc held her shoulder. Her mask opened, a light came from the mirror beneath. Abanoc transferred his memories through the muse. Of building transports, caravans, and taming the right animals to pull them. The complex equations to building a structure, measure its frame and integrity. He staggered as the information flowed into his head, and then took a moment to collect himself as his brain rapidly compartmentalized the information, and he regathered his thoughts. [color=yellow]“T-thank you,”[/color] he said. [color=yellow]“This will all be very helpful, but… I’m not sure caravans will be enough. I want to find a way to move people between continents. I’ve been told that other gods have found ways to do it… like Ohannakeloi, and… Shengshi.”[/color] He bristled somewhat as he spoke that last name. [color=DarkGray]“Ships to ferry through Ashalla’s realm then. There are also means of transport through the air to reach mountains, but not even I know how to build transports for the task.”[/color] Light came again from Mnemosyne’s mirror. This time the information on ship building came. How to seal the gaps on the wood to prevent flooding. Threading strong sails to catch the wind. Finally the mechanisms to operate one such transport. [color=yellow]“Hmm… this could work… but it will take a long time to build, then to teach people how to use it, then to actually travel… and it doesn’t seem entirely safe… sorry, I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but...”[/color] he thought carefully. [color=yellow]“Could you show me how to make something similar to what Ohannakeloi and Shengshi have made?”[/color] [color=DarkGray]“Ohannakeloi and Shengshi both build transports that travel the skies, true, but they were able to do so because of their divinity. As it was entirely a work of their godly powers this would require direct action to replicate. Are you able to wield the power to create such an object?”[/color] [color=yellow]“I don’t know. I’ve never attempted anything on that scale before,”[/color] Karamir admitted. Abanoc thought for a good moment. [color=DarkGray]“I suppose this calls for a practical lesson. Let us go to Galbar. I shall assist you in learning the ways of a god.”[/color] Karamir seemed surprised by that, but then he nodded. [color=yellow]“Thank you,”[/color] he said. [hr] At the top of the mountain where the Stone Book lay, Abanoc and Karamir prepared to accomplish a godly feat. [color=DarkGray]“The powers of a god are usually restricted to the concept they represent. Asceal to light, Azura to the winds and Ashalla to the seas to name a few. Then are also the intangible concepts: Kirron to strength, Narzhak to war and myself to recording. However, were we to force our limits, we gods can attain nigh omnipotence, if only for a moment. This lesson shall be about overcoming one’s limit by constructing your airborne vessel. What do you hold in mind?”[/color] Karamir drew the dagger at his belt, and the weapon morphed into a pointed metal stick. He began to narrate what he was imagining, basing his description partly off of Shengshi’s own vessel, and as he spoke, he knelt and scratched a rough sketch into the surface of the mountain. Once he was finished, he rose. [color=yellow]“Can this be done?”[/color] he asked Abanoc. Abanoc analysed the sketch. A ship, much like the ones he knew of in life, but with a somewhat different shape. [color=DarkGray]“If you can imagine it...”[/color] He lifted his arms, letting his sleeves roll down to his elbows. The markings on his arms glew in a faint golden light. [color=DarkGray]“Then you can make it.”[/color] The mountain shook slightly as bits and chunks of metal emerged from its surface as if the rock was liquid and floated in the air. With careful control, Abanoc extracted iron and copper among other materials from underneath his feet without collapsing the mountain’s foundation. It shook again, this time making a noticeable drop before stopping again. [color=DarkGray]“Now, imagine the shape. Bend the metal to your will.”[/color] Karamir stepped forward, and focused on the metal. He imagined what he wanted, and then, slowly, it began to shift. He extended his hands forward, and then, after it had finally taken shape, he solidified it. It was a ship, very similar in design to Shengshi’s, but it had wings and was made out of metal. The deck was clear of any buildings or structures save a railing for safety, and a raised section near the rear, with two sets of stairs leading up to it on either side. Then he imagined an interior, creating floors, rooms, and hallways. Finally, it was done. And then it fell. [color=DarkGray]“Capture it! Do not let it fall.”[/color] The tattoos on his arms shined brighter. Karamir wasn’t entirely sure what to do, but he banished the doubt from his mind, and refocused on the object. It took an immense amount of concentration, and he could physically feel the power drain from him, but he was able to stop its fall mere inches before it shattered against the ground. He willed it to obey him, and it did, gently rising back into the air. [color=DarkGray]“Good, now for the final touch. It will have to sustain its own flight like a bird. Infuse this power into it.”[/color] The light from his tattoos grew dimmer, but retained a spark. And so, Karamir did. Once he was finally done, he collapsed to his knees, gasping and clutching his head, but the construct remained in the air. It was finished. Abanoc lowered his arms, his tattoos becoming black again. [color=DarkGray]“Well done. Though it may have been made with my assistance, your first construct is complete. You are still only halfway through the path to full fledged godhood, but today you exerted your will as a deity.”[/color] He offered Karamir a hand. [color=DarkGray]“Be proud of yourself, Karamir.”[/color] Karamir accepted the hand, and as he rose to his feet on shaky legs, he smiled wearily. [color=yellow]“Thank you…”[/color] he breathed. [color=yellow]“It seems… I owe you a great deal…”[/color] [color=DarkGray]“Repay me with more growth from your part. Become what Kalmar was and surpass him. Truly become as gods.”[/color] Abanoc flashed a faint smile of his own before returning to usual expressionless look. [color=DarkGray]“Now, is there anything else that you wish?”[/color] [color=yellow]“There is one more thing…”[/color] Karamir revealed. [color=yellow]“It’s about Laurien… I need to know more about her.”[/color] [color=DarkGray]“A complicated creature, that one… I have watched her since her birth. I believe I have what you need.”[/color] Abanoc then told Karamir of the important details he knew of Laurien. About her connection to Silver and Li’Kalla. About the artifacts that she possesses and about her latest activities. Karamir listened, his reactions ranging from concern to anger as he heard of the atrocities she had committed and just how dangerous she had become. What was most concerning was that the bulk of these seemed to have occurred after her interaction with a strange portal on Atokhekwoi, which somehow made her worse than she already was. [color=yellow]“There are other powers at play here,”[/color] Karamir realized with a tone of dread. [color=yellow]“Whatever she is up to… whatever she is planning… she needs to be stopped.”[/color] Abanoc stood silently for a good few seconds. [color=DarkGray]“I am afraid I cannot interfere. My expertise lies in learning and teaching. Whatever help I can be of in this matter is limited to sharing information on Laurien.”[/color] Karamir nodded. [color=yellow]“I understand. It falls to me, then, and whoever else I can get to help me. But first… I have a settlement to build. Thank you again.”[/color] Abanoc gave a slight bow again. [color=DarkGray]“You are welcome. Now, if there is nothing more to discuss, please excuse me.”[/color] He turned to the Stone Book and departed to his Sphere. [color=yellow]“Goodbye, Abanoc,”[/color] Karamir said, shortly before the god vanished. And with that, Karamir levitated toward his ship. He set himself down on the metal floor with a soft clunk and looked around with a brief sense of marvel and wonder. This was his. He had not built it alone, but it was his nonetheless. He ran a hand along the railing, then ascended the stairs up to the quarterdeck, which gave him a view of the entire main deck. He imagined it full of people, bound for one destination or another. Then he approached the wheel. The mechanism intended to steer this flying vessel. After only a moment’s hesitation, he reached forward and gripped it. He turned it slightly, causing the ship to rock gently. Then he willed it to go forward, and it did. He smiled, recalling what he had felt when he first been gifted his flying cloak - that had been freedom. But this, this was power. Power he intended to share. [hr] [hider=Abanoc has information if you have free time (please he’s lonely)] Karamir shows up at Abanoc’s sphere. He asks for advice on city-building, so Abanoc gives him knowledge of Architecture. Karamir then mentions that he needs to find a way to get everyone in one place, so Abanoc tells him about ships and caravans. Karamir point out that this process will take too long for the endeavor he has in mind, and asks Abanoc how to build a proper divine vehicle - like what Shengshi, Ohan, and Urhu have built in the past. Abanoc and Karamir go outside and build a flying ship. The process leaves Karamir drained mentally and physically, but he thanks Abanoc for the help. Before he boards it, he asks Abanoc for more information on Laurien, and Abanoc provides it. Karamir is troubled by many of the revelations, but Abanoc can’t offer any help beyond providing the knowledge. They part ways, with Abanoc going back to the Observatory and Karamir getting on his cool new boat. [/hider] [hider=MP Summary] [u]Karamir[/u] [b]Beginning MP:[/b] 4 [b]Beginning FP:[/b] 8 [u]Expenditures[/u] -1 toward building a Flying Ship, name pending. [b]Ending MP:[/b] 3 [b]Ending FP:[/b] 8 [u]Abanoc[/u] [b]Beginning MP:[/b] 22 [b]Beginning FP:[/b] 23 [u]Expenditures[/u] -1 MP toward helping build a Flying Ship, name still pending. [b]Ending MP:[/b] 21 [b]Ending FP:[/b] 23 [/hider]