Magic Guild - A New Life - Gilanor

[Guest]

Gilanor let out a deep sigh as the doors to the Magic Guild came into sight at last. He had gotten here without one of relatives spotting him and hopefully it would take his parents a while to learn where he had gotten to if they would even be interested in learning.

He hadn't left any hint as to his intentions in the note, just saying enough to let them know how he felt, and that it was indeed 'Goodbye'. As to what they felt about the contents of his note, or his leaving, he wasn't really sure that he cared.

Walking through the open double doors he travelled door the length of the hall with determined steps. The bored expression on his face didn't even waver as he walked past a sculpture shifting into something new on one section of the wall.

Reaching the end of the hall he took in the presence of the elf behind the reading desk. Not hesitating he moved towards the desk at which she sat, coming to a halt within an arm reach of it.

"Excuse me. Could you tell me how I might go about enrolling please?" Gilanor asked, his tone of voice politely schooled from the habit of long lessons.

OOC: Posted this in the Magic guild thread as well separated out to ease any confusion.

[Guest]

The elf behind the desk laughed wizenedly, the lips pulled tight to reveal his true age- given by the wrinkled that encircled his eyes and forehead- given by the flatness of his once viridian eyes, by the dustiness that had overcome skin that was once ebony. He was indeed an elder- perhaps the oldest adhiel that walked these hallways- but the deceptive age belied a power that lay within, that sparkled from every pore of his skin- from every fold of his long robe. This was not an elf to be trifled with.

"Enroll? You're looking for enrollment?" He smiled icily, as if he the grin was made of ice imported from Trothgard itself. "You'd need to talk with Vebhriul, the Master of Admission currently on duty- and they'd tell you how to proceed further. That is... if you are prepared to dedicate every fiber of your being- every essence of willpower- to this task, to this learning of magical skill." He flashed another toothy and chilling smile.

"Are you ready to give your all? Your being?"

[Guest]

Gilanor seemed to shed his bored expression for a moment, the degree of change and power in the figure sparking an interest in him that he hadn't let show to anyone in a long time.

"Yes. This is what I want, not what anyone else wants for me." Gilanor replied, though his tone was firm he nodded respectfully to this one who it seemed to him must be an archmage of the guild. Why they were sitting here pretending to be something else he didn't know, but he would be properly respectful.

"I've committed myself to this course, there is nothing else for me now. How do I find Master Vebhriul, honoured sir?" Gilanor asked, his tone respectful and courteous.

[Guest]

The smile as omnipresent as ever, the words flowed from his mouth, suddenly liquid seeming and laced with mental lightning. "Master Vebhriul, who is a very busy man, can be found..." he began, the words rushing with that innate power that marked magic being worked- an incantation that Gilanor could not perceive or fully understand, perhaps.

"... right here," came the equally liquid follow up- this time from directly behind the dark adhiel. It was another's voice- not that of the elderly archmage of the order. Indeed, the voice was far younger- perhaps more powerful, though of a scholarly tone and not one of intense and trained wisdom.

The second speaker's hair was a shocking white, the intensity standing in stark and unparalleled contrast with the ebony of his skin. His smile, however, was the same as the first mage's had been- chilling in its intensity. His eyes were a brilliantly intense azure, in contrast to the other's green eyes.

"How can I help you, stranger?" The voice was polite, but hushed in its whispered focus- lazily crawling across Gilanor's mind like a hasted spider, before settling in the most uncomfortable portion of the adhiel's brain that it could find.

[Guest]

Tilting his head just slightly Gilanor considered the words and the sensations within his mind before turning slightly to look at Master Vebhriul. For though their approaches differed in execution still at its core it was the same stance his father often used. When dealing with someone new he would frequently try to make them feel uncomfortable and out of place. Then once he had them off balance he would seek to take advantage of whatever opening they offered if they reacted in haste.

"Master Vebhriul." Gilanor stated, giving a polite bow to mage who had just, or so it at least seemed, appeared out of thin air.

"My name is Gilanor. I am here seeking to enroll in the Magic Guild as a student, so as to undertake the proper courses for the study of Sorcery."

[Guest]

Master Vebhriul smiled lazily, his eyes closing for a moment, as his hand found its way slowly up the side of his face and into the nest of hair that crowned it- tracing lazy patterns through the silverin and white mane. He seemed to be thinking his resposne through completely, the hand at last completing its sojourn through the mass and slowly relaxing itself into its former position at Vebhriul's austere side.

"You wish to learn the ways of Sorcery, then? Gulanadurian Sorcery? Most intriguing." He sounded as if he was far from intrigued, but his eyes opened- their viridian intensity showering Gilanor with festive attention. "Very well, then... we can discuss payment later. I think it more important, just now, to get you situated with classes- and get you enrolled as quickly as possible. What sort of magick would you like to major in?"

Something feverish gleamed in the man's eyes- something distant and yet potent, excited and yet lethargic. Almost as if the man was hiding himself in a duality of emotion... but the questuon was now, which one was the real side? Vebhriul smiled, almost immediately ushering the young adhiel out of the room and into the next antechamber- heading toward the center of the massive complex, his hand squeezing slightly on Gilanor's shoulder as they walked.

[Guest]

The question that Master Vebhriul asked was one that he had considered time and again before his decision to make the break from his family.

"I would like to major in Battlemagic, Master Vebhriul." Gilanor replied, keeping the thought to himself that he would likely need the knowledge of it if his father was furious for his departure. He half wondered if assassins would be able to take action against him inside the halls of the Magic Guild.

[Guest]

"Hmmm..." it was all that Vebhriul said, for long moments- the final syllable sustained for far longer than seemed naturally possible for any normal adhiel to perform. However, he kept his gaze surreptitiously upon Gilanor, his fingers tapping thoughtfully on the pointed chin as he seemed deep in thought over something.

"Well, you see..." he spent just a moment further in contemplation, before looking intently and passionately upon the dark elf. Just as the Master's eyes locked upon his own, Gilanor felt something very akin to the sensation of spiders crawling within his mind, ticklish and chilling, the feeling continued for long moments before Vebhriul's gaze turned casually away- focusing on something else, for the time being.

"We don't have a formal School of Battle Magick, Gilanor... we can make a curriculum similar to that of battle magicks- but, first, I think, we should get some preliminary courses out of the way. Theory of Energy- for example." He smiled. "Of course, I must send you now to Master Grond- you will find him in the third rotunda."

((OOC: The interaction with Master Grond/Vebhriul will continue to be played out in this thread. You may simultaneously join this thread just so you have something to do. You can have your character enter the class that Ssinith is in, and keep in mind that he -will- have a book by that time, so you can RP as if you have the exact same book that Ssinith himself has. Enjoy.))

[Guest]

Gilanor listened carefullly as Master Vebhriul spoke of setting up a curriculum for him to study battlemagics, and nodded politely once he had finished speaking.

"How do I get to the third rotunda from here Master Vebhriul?" Gilanor asked, hoping he would be able to remember any directions successfully.

[Guest]

Master Vebhriul gave the simple directions- indicating that it was a simple matter of proceeding through the long hallway that led through the first rotunda (the entrance hall, as it was affectionately referred) and up to the central node, where the Gathering Hall could be found. From there, it was a simple turn to the right before one arrived in the third rotunda.

There was still something eerie and unsettling about the Master, and he seemed to consume Gilanor with his eyes. "Don't forget the mandatory two crowns that will be required for enrollment- and the knowledge of at least some theory of magic." He nodded sharply and then was gone. He did not walk away from Gilanor, but instead simply ceased to be. No elaborate magic, no act of vanishing... just... blinked out of existance.

The directions were simple, and it was only a matter of time before Gilanor found himself in the rather gloomy and murky seeming third rotunda- and one had to wonder why the darkness was really necessary in what was supposed to be a place of learning.

Master Grond was simple enough to find- for he was sitting right near the entryway to the rotunda, his form obfuscated by billowing robes. Looking up, the adhiel seemed to stare at Gilanor in a manner not so different from that which Master Vebhriul had used.

"You were sent to see a Master Grond," the man immediately chimed in, inquisitively. "What is your business with me, young sidhe?"

[Guest]

Gilanor had been considering the disappearance of Master Vebhriul from the entry way as he had followed his direction from the entry hall. For a moment he blinked at the question distracted by his thoughts, as he considered the possibilities of Master Vebhriul's disappearance.

"Yes indeed. I was seeking to enrol Master Grond." Gilanor replied, giving the mage a polite bow to cover his momentary distraction.

"I have the coins with me for a fee, but Master Vebhriul mentioned a knowledge of some theory of magic being required. While I have had some training in meditation, and obtaining an inner calm, I haven't actually been able to acquire any tutoring in any subject of magical theory."

[Guest]

Master Grond frowned, slightly, his gaze still steady upon Gilanor's form.

"You never learned any of the magical theories? It's a pity... it's a pity..." the man nodded sharply. "But you say that Vebhriul himself sent you this way, eh?" It was unclear precisely what that meant- but it apparently meant something, for it led to a great session of pondering by Grond, his eyes unfocused and looking at something else- which might havebeen a relief for Gilanor, who had been ceaselessly stared at since his arrival.

"Well, I trust Vebhriul's judgement, Mister..." again came that spidery feeling of someone or something crawling within the adhiel's mind, "Gilanor Rizatar." The Master made note of something on a convenient piece of parchment, muttering slightly in a language that Grond did not understand- perhaps it was Old World Sidhe, a language most considered to be a dead tongue.

"Alright, I've got you squared away on that term, at least," whispered the old adhiel, his eyes glittering. "Now, if you'll just provide me with the payment, I can get you going to your first class- since you are enrolling a bit late, there won't be time for a formal orientation."

With an apologetic smirk, he held out his hand- clearly demanding that the required payment of two crowns be placed in the outstretched digits.

[Guest]

The request for payment didn't worry Gilanor as he'd certainly been expecting it. Drawing forth the coins he had set aside for the fee he set the two crowns onto Grond's palm. Though he had set his course for this when he had left home, the payment fairly sealed his course financially as well.

As yet he had no other way to replace the funds he had just paid out for his education. Cut off from his family as he was sure he was now was, he would have to sink or swim on his own.

"I understand there is an extra fee for those wishing to lodge in the guild as well." Gilanor stated, as he remembered the information he had gathered before choosing his course. Dropping his hand back to his purse he drew out the extra circlet he had heard was charged for lodging.

"A circlet I believe." He said, adding the circlet to the company of the two crowns.

[Guest]

Master Grond nodded solemnly, though his eyes narrowed expertly- to test the veracity of the metal that was proffered. There had been a dramatic increase in Gulanadur in recent years, though all efforts to trace the source had proven thus far unsuccessful. However, it seemed that the coin was indeed good- as proven by whatever visual or magical experimentation Grond had provided upon it.

He turned his eyes toward Gilanor after his inspection, eyes still glittering greedily. "Well, I suppose you'll pick up on theory quick enough- else Vebhriul would not have placed such trust in you..." He shruggeed. "The dorms are in the White Rotunda- and you shall wear a white sash. You shall wear it at all times, after the first week, so that your patches may be displayed- if you do not, you may be expelled." He nodded sagely.

He produced a white garment from his pocket, handing it across the table toward Gilanor and appearing very serious. "Remember that once you are given a patch, if it is removed, you may be expelled as well. We take learning seriously here, Gilanor." He smiled, but there was a seriousness in the smile that made things somewhat dark in theme.

"So," he said, standing up with the wearisome patience of a man advanced in years, "shall we go find you an room, then? The White is filling up fast, from what I understand- but I'm sure there'll be something available."

[Guest]

Gilanor took the white sash from Master Grond's hand almost reverently and nodded to him respectfully as he did so.

"Thank you for your assistance Master Grond." Gilanor said, "I will be be sure to follow your instructions in regards to this sash. Studying here is my life now. I have nothing to go back to, and nothing else I desire."

Gilanor moved to follow along slightly behind Master Grond at a properly respectful distance.

[Silhouette]

Grond gave the expanse of the White Rotunda a thoughtful browse, although there was many a student scattered about studying, in the way of his contemplative vision. Whether the aging adhiel was actually hindered in his inspection, by the gathering, was questionable however. The plethora of would-be magi must have been transparent in his eyes, as the Master considered each student house despite obstruction.

“Ah, I know of one, fitting for you…” It was difficult to discern exactly what Master Grond’s ‘fitting’ comment entailed, as it was highly likely each and every dorm was similar, if not identical. Dallying no longer, Gilanor was promptly escorted through the right portion of the Rotunda, and led directly to his dorm door. “As you already know, Gilanor, the Magic Guild is practically teeming with fresh blood…”

Master Grond paused for a few flickers at that, providing a smile of peculiar nature before continuing, “We are sorely lacking in vacancies. Nonetheless, you are welcome to share these quarters. There was another new arrival today like yourself, by the name of Ssinith I believe, who will be lodging with you. Needless to say, a room of your own will be yours, as soon as one is made available.”

Without further ado, the old adhiel opened the doorway and proceeded inside. The particulars of the diminutive dwelling were quite scarce, and only the bare necessities were provided. A matching desk and chair, for those long hours of study which were certain to come, and a bed with which to retire when one could keep one’s studious eyes open no longer.

Gilanor was shepherded inside as an unwary sheep would be, with Grond remaining in the doorway behind him. The Master’s reassuring voice resumed with the systematic explanation, as though he had lost count of just how many students he had spoon fed this information, “Any belongings you have will be safe here, if you do not wish to carry everything about. I’m sure that would become quite the burden. Besides, thieves won’t go undetected.”

[Guest]

"Thank you Master Grond." Gilanor replied, not inclined towards any protest about sharing even if he thought that such would do him any good. Setting his pack down on the bed that look as yet unclaimed, he considered the sash for a moment.

"Does one wear it around the waist or angeled across the body from shoulder to hip?"

[Silhouette]

“It is my pleasure, young Gilanor.” Master Grond gave a sincere nod and an oddly luminous smile. His eyes betrayed him, revealing a detachment of sorts, and yet such a smile was practically glowing with his welcome. Regardless of the criss-crossing emotions, the adhiel was certainly grateful to have helped a new student feel right at home, here at the Guild.

“The most important things to remember, concerning your sash, are the patches adorning it. So long as every patch is clearly observable, it matters little how the sash itself is worn. You do know how to dress yourself respectfully, do you not?” Grond’s friendly chuckle was fleeting, and it was lost quickly. “Many of the students wear theirs in one of those two ways, and there are also a few who simply drape the sash vertically over one shoulder. It is merely a matter of preference.”

“I will see to it that another bed is fashioned and provided shortly, but in the meantime, I believe there is something more vital that you will need, especially so because your knowledge of magickal theory is limited at this time. Ah, now that I come to think of it…” Master Grond at long last stepped into the dorm itself, making his way over to the study desk, and carefully accessed the desk drawer. From within it, a rather heavy looking tome was gathered up in his hands, and thusly presented to Gilanor soon after.

“This book will help to guide your future studies here. It was previously Nessa’s study book, much like this dorm was hers before your coming. As far as I know, she will no longer have a use for either, so this tome in particular is yours. My advice is to take your time with it, and build a basic foundation of understanding, from which to work up from… In other words, don’t rush with magick.”

[Guest]

Gilanor resisted the temptation to reply with a sarcastic remark about knowing how to tie his own laces instead just nodding in understanding to Master Grond's comments about the sash. The badges it seemed where the important thing rather than the presentation of the sash itself.

Making sure his grip on the tome was secure as Master Grond handed it to him, Gilanor wondered for a moment at the fate of the student before he set those thoughts aside. From now on he needed to be focused on his fate, and insure that whatever fate someone else had meet wasn't where he was heading. Since she no longer had a need for the tome or the dorm it likely meant she was no longer a student here and not from graduating from the sounds of it.

"So magick is like every craft in that regards, a solid base of understanding and skill built upon, until the structure of profession reaches whatever height of skill the individual can achieve. The height of the structure is determined by how solid and well the lower levels are put into place. I will keep your advice well in mind Master Grond." Gilanor stated.

[Ashtallion Urdil]

Master Grond eyed Gilanor most intently, " Yes....yes....very good. ", there was a gleam in the old mages' eyes, an inner light that proved startling. " Well, if you wish I can leave you to settle in? No doubt you have a time table for classes and such? "

[Guest]

"Actually I've been provided only with what you yourself have given me Master Grond. This sash, room, and now this Tome, I was told that I should just be able to make it to suitable class but have no idea where to find it." Gilanor replied, hoping that Master Grond wouldn't consider this matter a complete waste of his time.

[Ashtallion Urdil]

" Ah I see.....very well then. ", Grond moved forward, placing a few fingers upon Gilanor's forehead and closing his own eyes. Something washed over his mind, images he had never seen before, places within the Guild, names and the like. " There... ", he said as he removed his fingers, " .....that is a list of several classes that should be beneficial to you, covering basics and a few specialist classes that might help. You should also know the names of the different areas within the Guild....well, some of them anyway. There are areas you need not know of for now, at least. "

[Guest]

"Thank you Master Grond." Gilanor stated, as he noted the apparent ease with which the magi had enacted the spell that placed the set of knowledge within his mind. Thinking for a moment he considered the class schedule that had been placed into his mind, as well as the ramification that the ease of those mental manipulations showed to him.

"I can see there is indeed a basics class starting shortly, again my thanks for your assistance."

[Guest]

Excusing himself from the presence of the Magi Gilanor headed off towards the class. Following the maps that had been laid into his mind he arrived there easily enough. Stopping for a few moments a short distance from the classroom, he neatly wrapped the white sash around his waist before tying it off. The ends of it falling down from his waist at the right hand side where it normally wouldn't be at risk at tangling with the blade he was used to wearing sheathed on his left side.

The only blades he had possessed though had born the crest of his house. Something he hadn't noticed until he had gone to make his leave from that very house at morningtide. Not wanting to risk even further the ire of his parents he had left them all behind. He would have to see to their replacement at the first available opportunity. Though daring to leave the Magic Guild, and bet his life on doing so unnoticed, might make the obtainment of the replacements most interesting.

OOC: Just wanted to finished off this thread and connect it to the other one a little bit more neatly.

[Torigm Khace]

Needs Skilled.

Note to self.

JOE--