Sabriel (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bindsthedead) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
ximilialog2021-08-29 01:21 pm
bindsthedead) wrote in ximilialog2021-08-29 01:21 pm
(no subject)
CHARACTERS: Sabriel
LOCATION: Various locations on the Ximilia
DATE: Through the second half of August and the first week of September
CONTENT: Catch-all for post-mission stuff!
WARNINGS: None, will edit this if any come up!
Magic lessons
[The training room seems the best place to start. It's been remarkably durable when Sabriel's trained in it, so it should be able to withstand anything her students can dish out.
There are individual lessons- discussing the variety of topics she wishes for her students to learn, or that they've expressed interest in, along with instructing them in the general principle of Charter Magic- how to navigate the Charter's flow to find specific marks, what the warning signs are that things are about to go out of control and they need to break off their casting, practice on maintaining the balance of focus between the Charter and the world around them while casting, and a discussion use-names, the words used to identify specific Charter Marks without risking invoking them, and how these might be used in various mnemonic devices, to keep track of how far along in a spell a mage was, and make sure they invoked the marks in the correct order.
Sabriel did her best to remind her students to be cautious, to remember their limits and not overreach themselves, and she also gave them lists of marks to memorize and find within the Charter, each with their meanings listed, with the explanation that she would teach them how to connect these into spells in subsequent lessons.
There's also at least one group lesson. Sabriel stands tall, much better rested than she was upon their initial return to the station, and she hands out handwritten notes to each of her students.]
Today, I want to teach you two things- how to make a diamond of protection, and how to cast magic cooperatively. Both of these will serve you well.
Now, for the first, I want you to watch me closely. I've assigned these marks in your homework, now you're going to see how they combine into a spell.
[It's outwardly a simple spell- only four marks, although of significant enough power that it takes Sabriel a few minutes to cast the spell. She starts with the East mark, and follows through clockwise, setting each a few feet apart. As she finishes the North mark, lines of golden fire run between the marks, flickering upwards.]
This is a powerful defensive spell, but it does have certain limitations- primarily, that once it's been cast, anything within its bounds leaving will break the spell.
[And indeed, the marks flare and vanish as Sabriel steps over one of the lines, as though they were never there.]
But if properly cast, the marks can last for days, protecting you from all manner of physical and supernatural danger- and while it's easily broken from the inside, it's much harder to do from the outside.
So what I want each of you to do is cast this spell individually, and then in cooperation with another student. Clasp their hand and reach out to the Charter together- let your strength reinforce each other as you call on each individual mark. Drawing on the Charter as part of a collective casting will place less strain on you, and allow you to form spells of greater power than you could on your own.
In the future- it's possible that all of us may need to work together on a spell. So I want you to become comfortable with the practice.
Training
[Aside from instructing others, Sabriel also trains on her own- both with a blade and her own magic. She can often be found going through sword drills in the training room- or in other cases, combining it with her magic practice, with slashes and thrusts sending fire, lightning, or other destructive magic across the practice room.
Other times, she keeps her sword sheathed, instead casting spells with no obvious affect that fly through the air or linger on the floor until dismissed. If anyone else enters the training room while this happens, Sabriel will approach them, a slightly uneasy smile on her face.]
Would you mind helping me test some spells?
Attempting to cook
[Sabriel knows that despite her father's best intentions, her school didn't prepare her for many things- Wyverley College assumed its graduates would have a staff of servants at their disposal, and thus, Sabriel's experience with cooking was mostly restricted to preparing tea and sandwiches.
Still, how hard could stew be? Cutting things up wasn't too hard, and you had to season it, of course, Sabriel knew that much. But then you just set it on the stove and let it cook!
Unfortunately, something's gone wrong, and Sabriel's attempt has turned an unappetizing shade of grey.]
LOCATION: Various locations on the Ximilia
DATE: Through the second half of August and the first week of September
CONTENT: Catch-all for post-mission stuff!
WARNINGS: None, will edit this if any come up!
Magic lessons
[The training room seems the best place to start. It's been remarkably durable when Sabriel's trained in it, so it should be able to withstand anything her students can dish out.
There are individual lessons- discussing the variety of topics she wishes for her students to learn, or that they've expressed interest in, along with instructing them in the general principle of Charter Magic- how to navigate the Charter's flow to find specific marks, what the warning signs are that things are about to go out of control and they need to break off their casting, practice on maintaining the balance of focus between the Charter and the world around them while casting, and a discussion use-names, the words used to identify specific Charter Marks without risking invoking them, and how these might be used in various mnemonic devices, to keep track of how far along in a spell a mage was, and make sure they invoked the marks in the correct order.
Sabriel did her best to remind her students to be cautious, to remember their limits and not overreach themselves, and she also gave them lists of marks to memorize and find within the Charter, each with their meanings listed, with the explanation that she would teach them how to connect these into spells in subsequent lessons.
There's also at least one group lesson. Sabriel stands tall, much better rested than she was upon their initial return to the station, and she hands out handwritten notes to each of her students.]
Today, I want to teach you two things- how to make a diamond of protection, and how to cast magic cooperatively. Both of these will serve you well.
Now, for the first, I want you to watch me closely. I've assigned these marks in your homework, now you're going to see how they combine into a spell.
[It's outwardly a simple spell- only four marks, although of significant enough power that it takes Sabriel a few minutes to cast the spell. She starts with the East mark, and follows through clockwise, setting each a few feet apart. As she finishes the North mark, lines of golden fire run between the marks, flickering upwards.]
This is a powerful defensive spell, but it does have certain limitations- primarily, that once it's been cast, anything within its bounds leaving will break the spell.
[And indeed, the marks flare and vanish as Sabriel steps over one of the lines, as though they were never there.]
But if properly cast, the marks can last for days, protecting you from all manner of physical and supernatural danger- and while it's easily broken from the inside, it's much harder to do from the outside.
So what I want each of you to do is cast this spell individually, and then in cooperation with another student. Clasp their hand and reach out to the Charter together- let your strength reinforce each other as you call on each individual mark. Drawing on the Charter as part of a collective casting will place less strain on you, and allow you to form spells of greater power than you could on your own.
In the future- it's possible that all of us may need to work together on a spell. So I want you to become comfortable with the practice.
Training
[Aside from instructing others, Sabriel also trains on her own- both with a blade and her own magic. She can often be found going through sword drills in the training room- or in other cases, combining it with her magic practice, with slashes and thrusts sending fire, lightning, or other destructive magic across the practice room.
Other times, she keeps her sword sheathed, instead casting spells with no obvious affect that fly through the air or linger on the floor until dismissed. If anyone else enters the training room while this happens, Sabriel will approach them, a slightly uneasy smile on her face.]
Would you mind helping me test some spells?
Attempting to cook
[Sabriel knows that despite her father's best intentions, her school didn't prepare her for many things- Wyverley College assumed its graduates would have a staff of servants at their disposal, and thus, Sabriel's experience with cooking was mostly restricted to preparing tea and sandwiches.
Still, how hard could stew be? Cutting things up wasn't too hard, and you had to season it, of course, Sabriel knew that much. But then you just set it on the stove and let it cook!
Unfortunately, something's gone wrong, and Sabriel's attempt has turned an unappetizing shade of grey.]
cooking
...Oi, what were you even trying to do?
no subject
[Well, it's what she was trying to do. The vegetables have pretty much turned to mush and started falling apart, Sabriel realizes as she tries to stir it.]
no subject
Ha...how long did you have it cooking? What'd you add in?
[ He's coming closer to get a better look. Maybe it's still salvageable... ]
no subject
[As for what she put in it...]
Beef, carrots, potatoes, celery, water, salt pepper, and some rosemary and thyme.
[And yet, somehow, Sabriel's managed to turn all of it into a grayish sludge.]
no subject
[ The ingredients don't sound terrible, at least, so it has to be the process. ]
no subject
no subject
[ Shortcuts aren't always viable in cooking. ]
no subject
A cooking attempt was made
Only when he does so, he's met with ... whatever this is that Sabriel has tried to produce. ]
What the hell is this supposed to be?
[ ... also sorry he's just not the type to ask that sort of question any softer. ]
no subject
[Now it's sludge with some overcooked bits of meat in it.]</small. I thought I'd try cooking, but- something went wrong.
no subject
[ He's making a face. ]
You're right that something went wrong. But I can't tell what, from this.
no subject
[too far up, judging by the settings on the stove.]
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[ He puts his hands on his hips, as he assesses the situation. ]
But, I think it's still salvageable.
no subject
[Add more seasonings? Or is there some way to uncook it?]
no subject
I do prefer starting over if I mess something up ... not that I do anymore!!
[ But Yzak will be tasting a tiny bit of the stew to see if it tastes like a lost cause. ]
no subject
[Sabriel's didn't... and the stew is definitely a lost cause.]
no subject
I guess it's not as salvageable as I hoped ... so if you still want to make it, I can show you what to do from square one.
And, I taught myself, a couple of years ago. It's not a hobby or anything, but I was ... home alone for a time, before the second war. [ That's all he says, but he doesn't sound like he won't elaborate if asked. ] So I had nothing better to do, and it's useful to know.
Training
no subject
Nothing dangerous, you just- won't be able to move until I get it off, which shouldn't take long.
no subject
Don't worry, I trust you. [He gestures out.] Where should I stand?
no subject
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Sabriel starts forward immediately.]
Just hold on, I should be able to get you loose!
no subject
Looks like it works! [He stands still, not trusting himself not to topple over if he tries to worm about. He cranes his neck to peek at Sabriel from over his shoulder.]
no subject
The marks vanish, the tendrils loosening a moment before vanishing, leaving the fading afterimage of Charter marks.]
no subject
slams in here twice for LESSONS
So it can last days, or moments if needed. Enough to protect if you're out alone in a dangerous situation and it gets dark for example, to simply needing to reorient or reload a weapon during a battle.
no subject
[Like the arrow-ward she'd seen Touchstone use, and a few she'd learned herself- useful for blocking attacks, but it was easy to wear yourself out without doing anything to end the fight.]
Honestly, unless there was some particularly dangerous threat I was aware of, I wouldn't bother setting up a diamond of protection unless I was staying in the same spot for at least half an hour.
no subject
Once I cast this one, would you mind attacking it from the outside so I can see it in action?
no subject
[She wasn't expecting to try to blow up one of her students so soon, but Yzak's been serious enough that she expects his diamond to hold.]
no subject
[ When he starts to trace the marks, it's clear that he's grown a bit better at controlling and moving his focus to casting when he needs to actually act. The first two come easy - he needs an extra moment or two to properly recall and find the mark for the third, but he manages it, followed by the fourth.
Just like Sabriel's example, the flames shoot upward after all four ends connect to each other. ]
no subject
[Sabriel watches him cast, nodding when she feels the strength of the casting. No need to hold back, she decides.
So Sabriel takes a dozen large steps back, and starts to cast.
Battle magic, by necessity, is short, rarely involving more than ten marks- this one requires only five.
But it's powerful enough that it leaves Sabriel with a face full of oven-hot air as the walls of Yzak's diamond flash gold, breaking the spell and leaving scorch-marks outside of it- but not within.]
Congratulations!
no subject
Despite the defense holding up, Yzak can still feel the strength of Sabriel's magic when it strikes against the wall. He can tell he did it correctly, and now has an idea of what it can take. So he smirks a bit, proud of himself. ]
I don't want to make you cast more than you feel like. [ Because of the whole draining thing, and he's aware that they've got more to cover. ] But give me an idea - roughly how many of those would it take before the wall gives?
no subject
[And Sabriel would probably need to rest halfway through the process. Sabriel circles around, standing at the west mark, which she saw him struggle with.]
This is not a spell easily broken by brute force, and even if I were to use other methods, targeting whatever weak spot I could find... it would still take me several hours to get through. This spell's major limitation is that you sacrifice all offense and mobility in exchange for defense. So if I didn't need to attack you directly... I could keep you out of my hair simply by giving you good reason to stay within the diamond.
no subject
I'm not a fan of giving up my offense unless it's for good reason. But this will come in very handy for those times where I might not have a choice to.
[ At that, he steps out of the diamond as the marks disappear. ]