Winter Prelude

Created: 31 December 2020, 08:55:00 EST
Last updated: 16 January 2021, 11:39:30 EST

SparkleFrostfallSparkle

Heart of the Moon
Angea proceeds to give an abridged version of the events that took place in the City of ink leading to the trophy's discovery and will of course give moments for you to chime in if you decide to. Vinta listens intently the entire time, nodding when the tale concludes.

SparkleVinta

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"This is something I did not expect to see again. After two years of searching we were considering giving up and attempting to craft a new symbol of power, though nothing would hold the same weight as an important symbolic artifact such as this."

 

SparkleVinta

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"I suppose there's no harm in telling you. This was crafted by non other than the great wizard Yorrik, the one who taught our headmaster many, many years ago. Thus between its age and its history it has great significance to those who studied under him and by extension those who carry on his legacy."

 

SparkleVinta

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"It also holds a power that is unknown to us, through no method were we able to harness or extract it. It is locked away within the item. Or... It was."

 

SparkleVinta

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"The power it once possessed was deemed to not be a danger to us, so we had made use of it's significance to our headmaster and the local villain we often found ourselves dealing with. While aggressively territorial and, on rare occasions, murderous, we found that this trophy was able to quell him. Winning something seen as valuable to us in a fair way satisfied his attempts to gain power over these lands."

 

SparkleVinta

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"Each year we would hold tournaments in order to test the skills of the students of our school. With one group aiding this villain, and the other defending the school. It was all in good fun of course, at least for everyone but the foolish villain. There are times when we won and he would hole away for a year planning for his future attempts, and times where he won and would simply gloat rather than causing us further issues."

 

SparkleVinta

"It is actually quite a complicated situation that has begun a long standing tradition that functions on honor and good sportsmanship, but I hope my explanation has satisfied some of your curiosity if you were not already aware of these facts."

 

SparkleVinta

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"Er... I apologize. I tend to ramble on and on without realizing, so perhaps I should work while we talk. Please do not take it the wrong way, I am still listening."

SparkleVinta

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"I cannot speak with certainty to the true intentions of the one who plundered it, or what methods they used to do so. All efforts to locate the item had failed, and now that I have learned it wound up in the City of Ink I understand why."

 

SparkleVinta

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"The main thing to note is that the stone once embedded within it is now missing. This gemstone is what held the magic, not the item itself."

 

SparkleVinta

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"There is the possability that it was stolen solely for monetary gain. Such an artifact could be sold but without knowing the magic contained within the gemstone it wouldn't be very valuable. I am less inclined to believe this option as there are things here worth far more stargold."

 

SparkleVinta

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"Perhaps there is someone out there who knows of something we do not. What do you think?"

 

SparkleVinta

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"Either way, it is worrisome that anyone would have been able to slip by us. And furthermore the idea that someone out there may be able to make use of the power it once held worries me."

 

SparkleVinta

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"Ah... There I go again. I ask you to keep it brief and yet I can't seem to stop talking. Is that the last of your questions?"

...

Vinta Sighs, though it doesn't seem to be directed at you. They look over the trophy again, looking thoughtful as they mumble something to themself.

SparkleVinta

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"It really is a shame."

 

They stand up from their place at the table and head over to one of their bookshelves, they quickly pull out a tome and scribble something down in what looks to be a planner with each date completely filled with notes that spill into the margins. You catch a glimpse of what they wrote just now and it is utterly incomprehensible.

SparkleVinta

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"You both have been a great help. I will send news to the headmaster that we have retrieved the item, and I will give her the details of its current state. Perhaps after I finish up my current work I will see to learning more about the whereabouts of the stone is. Though that would require pushing back my other plans."

 

SparkleAngea

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"Uhhh Yeah! No problem! Happy to help ya out with something! Though my friend here really deserves more credit than I do."

SparkleVinta

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“Alright then. Perhaps if I uncover anything I could let the both of you know if it interests you at all. Though I will not be able to focus on this matter for some time.“

 

They sigh again, this one louder than the last as they rub their temple and look away from the trophy.

SparkleAngea

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"Hey uh... Vinta. You seem pretty worn out. Maybe since we're here and all maybe we could help you with some of the work? There's gotta be something, yeah?"

 

Angea gives you a pleading side glance as if to silently say she hopes you'll be alright going along with helping her friend.

 

SparkleVinta

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“That... May be acceptable actually. Though I must warn you it will not be easy work, but I will see to it that you are given a reward of some kind for helping me. I hope I am not asking too much since it has a while since we last spent time together. And I have only just met this friend of yours.”

 

SparkleAngea

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"Hey don't worry about it. What has you so stressed about this job anyway?"

 

SparkleVinta

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“My usual jobs can become quite intense but after a long chain of completing tasks with flying colors I have finally been given something that poses a significantly greater challenge and I lothe to admit that I was not prepared for it.”

 

SparkleVinta

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“One of the professors has asked a momentous task of me, and is being backed by the headmaster. Failure is not an option as it would harm both their trust of me, and I would be unable to get my payment. I can't help but wonder if this is some type of test.”

 

SparkleVinta

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“I have no ideas for how to get this done. Everything I've tried thus far has resulted in failure. Every step forward is two steps back and every moment my deadline creeps closer.

 

Vinta seems fairly distraught about this. They stare down at the table in defea,t but still keep their usual cool expression, with fingers laced together tightly, but anyone could notice that he's trembling.

SparkleAngea

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"Vinta, we're here to help. If there's anything we can do please let us know. And if you can, please try not to worry... We can figure this out together, you don't have to keep going at it alone."

 

SparkleVinta

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“...I appreciate it, Angea."

 

SparkleAngea

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"So what exactly do you have to do?"

 

SparkleVinta

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“Right. The college covers all magical aspects of course, however despite our expansive resources and skilled staff we did not have any professors who are completely versed in void domain magic.  There are some teachers, yes, but no one who would be able to head the department. Mages such as that are rare, even in this age. It has left us with an imbalance, as the other three domains have dedicated branches."

 

SparkleVinta

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“It was with great excitement that our headmaster hired professor Aventus. He is a master of all void aspects, and he is eager to construct his own branch of the school. However the spot he chose, while excellent in theory, is far from the main building and poses a considerable threat to those who would venture there at this time."

 

SparkleVinta

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“Our destination, that place where the void wing will go, is at the core of this moon."

 

SparkleVinta

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“Not only are there terrible monsters lurking around the place, but there is an ancient defense system that we must disable in order to open the path. And even if we manage to get there and set up some short ranged teleportation units, the construction would still prove to be difficult.”

 

SparkleAngea

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"Yikes this job does sound pretty intense... But with us here it should make things at least a little easier right?"

 

SparkleAngea

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"Hey, here's an idea. Without the trophy the students and tourists probably don't have as much to do around here this season, yeah? I bet you could recruit more people to help you get this done! There's loads of people just waiting to show their stuff, and you have the perfect way to give them that chance."

 

SparkleAngea

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"Maybe this isn't a test, Vinta. Maybe you're supposed to get help. There's just no way they'd expect you to go at this all alone!"

 

SparkleVinta

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“..."

 

SparkleVinta

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“Perhaps... Perhaps you have a point. I will take this into consideration. Due to the dangers posed by the journey I had been put off by the prospect of inviting others along but... Maybe there is a way. I will think on it."

 

SparkleVinta

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“With that. I will begin preparing for this expedition. While I do that, there are some things I'd like both of you to do before we head out. But before you are given your assignments please speak now if there's anything else you need to know. I wouldn't want you wandering around blindly."

 

SparkleAngea

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"Heh... Are you just answering questions to procrastinate on your work."

 

Vinta ignores her completely and turns his gaze towards you expectantly. While he speaks he slowly works on preparing various scrolls and supplies for whatever is to come. Is there anything you would like to know?

SparkleVinta

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“He is a strange one. He showed up one day out of nowhere and before long he began teaching. While it surprised me, I would rather not question who the headmaster's choices on the matter. Besides... He is rather popular with the students."

 

SparkleVinta

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“Still... I get the feeling he has not told me everything about his plans. But it is not my place to question further at this time."

 

SparkleVinta

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"I do respect him of course. Though... I find that his height combined with his neutral expressions make for quite the intimidating presence."

He arches a brow in surprise. Perhaps it was an odd question?

SparkleVinta

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“Elsinon Ostinato, most have probably heard of her. She is the founder of this college. Being someone who has been an active mage for at least two thousand years her accomplishments are far too many to name. Her teacher was none other than Yorrik himself."

 

SparkleVinta

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"She protects the town and school with a great arcane barrier to keep dreadful creatures out and to detect if any spells have gone awry. At the moment she is quite busy with a project of her own, busier than me even, and will not be able to aid us in establishing the void branch."

 

SparkleVinta

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"I admire her greatly. Please show your respect if you ever have the chance to meet her."

SparkleVinta

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"Aspects of the void pose different dangers than aspects of other domains. They are all dangerous, of course, a fire spell could easily go out of control for example. But a magic-made fire can be easily reversed."

 

SparkleVinta

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"Consider void aspects. Death being one of them. Power over death is not to be taken lightly, and those who wish to hone their skills on the subject must understand that it has to be done cautiously. Keeping a safe distance from those susceptible would be best lest, we wind up with students dead or uncontrollable zombies."

 

SparkleVinta

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"Chaos is purely destructive and disruptive energy - it can negatively affect those outside of the void domain especially. It even has the potential to tear at another’s aura or completely nullify their abilities. Imagine if another student were to have their abilities gravely damaged, or the headmaster's barrier were to be nullified?"

 

SparkleVinta

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"As for shadows, if you get caught between worlds while trying to shadow step you will need someone there with the power to pull you back, lest you fall into nothingness. Not to mention all the other things that could go wrong without proper precautions."

 

SparkleVinta

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"We also unfortunately live in a time where there are still those who believe in old fashioned mindsets, and even if they are rare the idea of it still causes many void students anxiety. They are scared of the damage their powers could cause."

 

SparkleVinta

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"We trust that our students do not have ill intentions. The location is necessary as it offers them more freedom and peace of mind. That of the void should be respected, not feared or abused.”

 

SparkleVinta

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"They will still have full access to the main facilities of course. Once we have the location established we will construct teleportation units so the void students can easily travel back and forth."

SparkleVinta

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"Ah. The one who calls himself King."

 

There's a clear distaste in Vinta's words and expression as they speak.

SparkleVinta

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"He is the reason there are monsters infesting the areas outside of town, and infesting the moon's core. He had some sort of awful plan for the place it seems, so really we are killing two bugs with one broom here."

 

SparkleVinta

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"He is of little importance to the issues at hand and will likely not impede our work. Currently he is absent from Aldebast. After a grand declaration that he would be going on vacation, he vanished. Good riddance I say, he has caused us nothing but trouble. I pray that he will stay far away from us."

SparkleVinta

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"I'm fine."

SparkleVinta

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"Alright. If that's everything... I think it's time we get started. Are you ready for your assignment?"

 

I Guess So!

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