Divine tower of caelid
Elden Ring
2019.05.27 07:50 jack0641 Elden Ring
This is the subreddit for the Elden Ring gaming community. Elden Ring is an action RPG which takes place in the Lands Between, sometime after the Shattering of the titular Elden Ring. Players must explore and fight their way through the vast open-world to unite all the shards, restore the Elden Ring, and become Elden Lord. Elden Ring was directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki and made in collaboration with George R. R. Martin. It was developed by FromSoft and published by Bandai Namco.
2023.06.03 19:57 Greentoaststone .
 | submitted by Greentoaststone to u/Greentoaststone [link] [comments] |
2023.06.03 19:55 XulfRetsam Brand new High End Gaming PC, opinions appreciated
Hello there!
I am looking to build my first PC, for the first time. I have opened PCs before and changed components, I have a decent knowledge of IT in general but never actually assembled one on my own.
I wanted to ask for some humble opinions or tips on my first build. Basically it revolves around a Gigabyte RTX 4090 that I just ordered (hoping it arrives and not just a brick lol).
The CPU, I am undecided between I7-13700k or I9-13900k, more inclined on the first, since I heard stock temps are better and performs almost the same as the I9.
I would use it for Gaming mainly, VR, and maybe some AI and Stable Diffusion.
I am unsure of the RAM, so I found a similar build that used the one below. I also read about some brackets needed for the CPU? Is it necessary for the I7?
Any tip on this would be highly appreciated. I'd prefer to not set the house on fire or damage any of these fairly expensive pieces XD
Here is the List:
PCPartPicker Part List
submitted by XulfRetsam to buildmeapc [link] [comments]
I am looking to build my first PC, for the first time. I have opened PCs before and changed components, I have a decent knowledge of IT in general but never actually assembled one on my own.
I wanted to ask for some humble opinions or tips on my first build. Basically it revolves around a Gigabyte RTX 4090 that I just ordered (hoping it arrives and not just a brick lol).
The CPU, I am undecided between I7-13700k or I9-13900k, more inclined on the first, since I heard stock temps are better and performs almost the same as the I9.
I would use it for Gaming mainly, VR, and maybe some AI and Stable Diffusion.
I am unsure of the RAM, so I found a similar build that used the one below. I also read about some brackets needed for the CPU? Is it necessary for the I7?
Any tip on this would be highly appreciated. I'd prefer to not set the house on fire or damage any of these fairly expensive pieces XD
Here is the List:
PCPartPicker Part List
2023.06.03 19:54 ExampleSecret1054 1000$ budget
Hello people, long story short I want to build a pc with a 1000$ budget. Here is a list of my chosen parts. Let me know what I should change.
CPU: Intel Core i3-13100F 3.4 GHz Quad-Core Processor Motherboard: MSI PRO B660M-E DDR4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard Memory: Klevv CRAS X RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory Storage: Corsair MP600 CORE XT 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive Video Card: Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 6750 XT 12 GB Video Card Case: *Corsair 4000D Airflow ATX Mid Tower Case Power Supply: Corsair RM750x (2021) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
submitted by ExampleSecret1054 to buildapc [link] [comments]
CPU: Intel Core i3-13100F 3.4 GHz Quad-Core Processor Motherboard: MSI PRO B660M-E DDR4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard Memory: Klevv CRAS X RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory Storage: Corsair MP600 CORE XT 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive Video Card: Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 6750 XT 12 GB Video Card Case: *Corsair 4000D Airflow ATX Mid Tower Case Power Supply: Corsair RM750x (2021) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
2023.06.03 19:54 Dreadnautilus The wrath of the Norn Emissaries [Crusade: Tyrannic War excerpt]
So preview copies of the Leviathan boxset have been sent out now, and with that comes the new rulebook, which also contains within it a Crusade supplement that details the 4th Tyrannic War. I'll let someone else detail all the new stuff that's been added because its a massive book and I don't have the patience. But I'll post the story of the Norn Emissaries. You may have heard of it as the big new Tyranid monster mentioned in the Warhammer + lore video that was slain by Trajann Valoris in order to save Lord Solar Leontus. That brief account doesn't really get into how scary these guys actually are.
In the book itself there are three Norn Emissaries that are involved in the fighting, two of which are uninvolved in the assassination attempt on Leontus.
submitted by Dreadnautilus to 40kLore [link] [comments]
In the book itself there are three Norn Emissaries that are involved in the fighting, two of which are uninvolved in the assassination attempt on Leontus.
With the skies darkened, day and night had no meaning. The defenders fought on doggedly, yet their casualties mounted and the fortress they manned became ever more heavily damaged. All the while, the three Norn Emissaries stalked through the fighting with eerie alien grace, closing inexorably upon objectives only they knew. One of them struck on the eighth day of the siege, having compressed its mass into the seemingly impossible confines of a decommissioned turbolift shaft then crawled steadily upwards for untold hours. The towering monstrosity burst into the Erythrad Peak command sanctum, where it slaughtered hundreds of screaming strategos and command adepts and destroyed scrooes of irreplacable cogitator banks. The beast would have escaped to strike again elsewhere, had it not been for an unnamed Chapter serf who selflessy sealed the blood-drenched sanctum and trigged the plasmic denial charges, reducing the entire peak to a glassy crator.But the lion's share of the screentime is given to the one sent to assasinate Lord Solar Leontus.
The second Emissary - whose distinctive scars identified it to Imperial stratego sas the infamous Fiend of Hag Rift - surged from a Trygon tunnel to attack the White Templars' gene-seed vault. It was supported by swarms of lesser warrior organisms and a pair of Neurotyrants. In response, marching from the Chapter's Vaults of Repose came almost a score of White Templars Dreadnoughts who held back the Tyranids in an increasingly desperate and one-sided struggle. Almost all of the ancient warriors were slain - a dreadful loss for the Chapter - but their sacrifices bought time for Colonel Uveda of the Ortegan Grenadieers to launch a massive counter attack and drive the Tyranids back. When the vengeful Chapter Master Stavro arrived at the head of a White Templars strike force, the Fiend of Hag Rift was badly wounded and its swarm devestated. Yet the malevolent monster escaped to fight another day.
For all the butchery and horror wrought by its fellows, it was the thrid of the Norn Emissaries that struck at the most crucial target. Scaling the snow-whipped peak of the tallest mountains in the Heights of Artorus, the creature lurked in wait amidst rock and ice for its prey to emege. Below lay the wide-open square of the Ascendorum, a great plaza wrought from a mountainous plateau, dotted with braziers, statuary, sheild generatorums and flak batteries. In better times, the White Templars had mustered on this open space to perform rituals and bestow honours beneath the starry vaults of Sanctum's skies. Now, Lord Solar Leontus was crossing the open plaza astride Konstantin with his entourage about him. The Norn Emissary knew its prey's psionic spoor. Its black eyes followed him. Its ropes of muscle and tendon tensed, and then it leapt out into thin air. The Norn Emissary dropped towards the plaza, sword-llike talons extended, angling its huge mass to slam down directly atop Leontus. From below came screams as someone spotted the danger and many amongst Leontus' entourage raised weapons. The Lord himself looked up, registering his doom descending upon him too swiftly to be avoided.Remember that one story about the Custodians fighting an entire Tyranid swarm that Custodes haters constantly rag about? Really, the Hive Mind should've sent one of these guys instead, because managing to kill four custodes and a gunship by yourself while the Custodians have Imperial Guard support is pretty impressive.
Missiles streaked in and struck the Norn Emissary in the flank when it was scant feet above Leontus' head. The impacts blossomed into concussive fireballs. Their force hurled the huge Tyranid aside even as their shock waves unhorsed the Lord Solar and threw him and many of his companions flat upon the flagstones. The Norn Emissary bucked in the air, ichor gouting from its wounded flank, and turned its tumble into a cat-like landing with a grace nothing so huge should posses. It hissed as the gilded gunship that had fired upon it streaked overhead, then banked sharply with a flare of engines and came in for another pass. The craft's rear ramp whined open as it flew closer, and hulking warriors clad in ornate auramite armour dropped from it one after another to slam down in the plaza with enough force to crack stone. The gunship's weapons blazed again. This time the Emissary was ready. Leaping and swinging huge talons in a scything arc, it tore the cockpit from the gunship and sent it spiralling down the mountainside in flames.
The emissary wheeled and surged with serpentine speed towards Leontus, who was still staggering to his feet. Blood ran down his pale face from a bad scalp wound. Though he fumbled to draw his blade, the Norn Emissary's prey was in no condition to defend himself. The monster reared above him.
The newly arrived golden warriors moved with incredible speed and merciless focus. Those of the Lord Solar's retinue not swift enough to clear a path were smashed aside with bone-breaking force as Trajann Valrois and his Custodians raced to interpose themselves between Leontus and his would-be xenos assassin. The Norn Emissary was just paces from its victim when a hammering volley of bolt fire from the Custodian's guardians spears arrested its charge. The monster staggered then lunged with a shriek, snatching up the nearest Custodian and tearing one arm from his body before swinging him by the other and hurling him away.
Trajann Valoris stepped in and aimed a mighty stroke with the Watcher's Axe that shattered several of the Emissary's talons. The towering xeno-beast feinted back then sprang past Valoris and attempted to snatch up Leontus. The Lord Solar had, by now, recovered his wits, however, and hurled himself backward to escape the monster's grasp. Bodyguards and chanting priests pressed forward, raking the Norn Emissary with fire from lasguns, pistols, and a handful of plasma weapons. The monster swatted its attackers aside like insects and sent broken bodies tumbling across the plaza.
The next instant it reeled and screeched as several Custodians' blades hacked into its flesh. Eyes still fixed unerringly on the retreating Lord Solar, the Norn Emissary lashed about itself with blistering speed. A custodian was borne aloft and ripped bodily in two. Another was kicked so hard that his head cleared the plaza and vanished over the precipice before his blood-spurting body had even toppled. Yet another was stomped into the flagstones, even his toughened bone structure and auramite armour not enough to prevent his death. The golden wall between the Norn Emissary and its prey was thinning.
All the while Leontus defenders and the remaining Custodians were pouring fire into the colossal alien abomination. A scything blow of the Watcher's Axe slit the cable-like tendons of the beast's right ankle and set it limping. A plasma blast - either skullfully placed or incredibly lucky - melted the right side of the Emissary's face into a fused mass of cooked flesh. Bolt rounds fired by Custodians blasted chunks of chitin and showers of ichor from the creature's limbs and body.
Still the Norn Emissary fought on. Its whipping tail broke another Custodian's neck and sent his body cluttering away across the plaza. A final, desperate effort saw the beast hurl itself forward, jaws grasping to close upon Lord Solar Leontus like a trap slamming shut. Yet Valoris was there at the crucial moment, Watcher's Axe swinging in a meteoric arc to embed itself in the side of the Norn Emissary's skull and smash its head aside. The xenos monster crashed to the ground, crushing more than a score of Leontus' aides under its bulk, yet its last strike at the Lord Solar had been fended off by the Captian-General of the Emperor's own bodyguards. Valoris and his one surviving Custodian kept their weapons levelled at the monster as it twitched and ehaved, but it did not try to rise again. Ichor flooded from its grievious wounds, steaming as it cooled and began to freeze upon the cracked flagstones of the plaza.
Lord Solar Leontus looked gravely around at the carnaged, then up at the stern-faced demigod who had interceded to save his life. Expression sombre, Leontus raised his hands and wordlessly offered the Captain-General of the Adeptus Custodes the sign of the Aquila. Valoris returned the gesture, and then calmly set about checking his wargear and reloading the Eagle's Scream. The life of the Lord Solar had been saved at terrible cost, and the defenders of Sanctum had received reinforcements, but there was still a world's worth of war to be waged.
2023.06.03 19:53 neoBeat_YT đKirb-11
 | submitted by neoBeat_YT to memes [link] [comments] |
2023.06.03 19:53 terkke Radiant Virtue + Redemption Build
Heey Poppy mains, I've come to show you a stolen brand new buildTM for Poppy!
So, to resume: I saw the build that u/Urpog shared for Urgot on the main LoL sub, and I've theorycrafting/trying to play Poppy with it since then!
The build for Urgot consists on building Black Cleaver and after that Radiant Virtue and Redemption, so when you're team fighting you have more utility and a decent tankyness to frontline for the ADC. It's main goal is impact the bot lane more, which is something really important this meta.
For Poppy, the two main builds are either going Divine Sunderer or Iceborn Gauntlet, taking advantage of Poppy's passive enhanced AA. Building Radiant Virtue+Redemption is not going to be better for that, it's not more damage (though it could mean getting more resistant faster?).
The build I tried for a few games is:
Grasp > Shield Bash > Second Wind > Revitalize and Biscuit Delivery > Cosmic Insight (mostly to use the items more), with AD > AD > ArmoMR for shards. I rushed Bami's Cinder and after that went building Radiant Virtue and Redemption.
My impressions:
I know it's not a meta defining build for Poppy, but I've had a good amount of fun playing it. Thoughts?
submitted by terkke to PoppyMains [link] [comments]
So, to resume: I saw the build that u/Urpog shared for Urgot on the main LoL sub, and I've theorycrafting/trying to play Poppy with it since then!
The build for Urgot consists on building Black Cleaver and after that Radiant Virtue and Redemption, so when you're team fighting you have more utility and a decent tankyness to frontline for the ADC. It's main goal is impact the bot lane more, which is something really important this meta.
For Poppy, the two main builds are either going Divine Sunderer or Iceborn Gauntlet, taking advantage of Poppy's passive enhanced AA. Building Radiant Virtue+Redemption is not going to be better for that, it's not more damage (though it could mean getting more resistant faster?).
The build I tried for a few games is:
Grasp > Shield Bash > Second Wind > Revitalize and Biscuit Delivery > Cosmic Insight (mostly to use the items more), with AD > AD > ArmoMR for shards. I rushed Bami's Cinder and after that went building Radiant Virtue and Redemption.
My impressions:
- It's indeed very utility focused, I felt the lack of damage on some 1v1s, but my team fight had more options with Redemption and you heal a good amount after using your ult. 10% max HP true damage of Redemption can be used during your combo, as you lock someone in place enough time, but it's not always available;
- Mana problems are gone! Redemption's mana regen is really noticeable when you finish building it, and with the HP regen too it's a good item for Poppy (and really cheap!). Mo;
- Power of choice: Radiant Virtue's passive only triggers when you finish the casting, so you can choose to not activate it cancelling your channel (using recall or keep channeling until your ult goes off);
- It spikes early: Divine Sunderer + Thornmail + Sunfire Aegis costs 8700g, or Iceborn Gauntlet instead to get down to 8400g. Building Radiant Virtue + Redemption is only 5000g, plus Sunfire Aegis and it comes down to 7700g.
I know it's not a meta defining build for Poppy, but I've had a good amount of fun playing it. Thoughts?
2023.06.03 19:53 ExampleSecret1054 1000$ budget
Hello people, long story short I want to build a pc with a 1000$ budget. Here is a list of my chosen parts. Let me know what I should change.
CPU: Intel Core i3-13100F 3.4 GHz Quad-Core Processor Motherboard: MSI PRO B660M-E DDR4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard Memory: Klevv CRAS X RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory Storage: Corsair MP600 CORE XT 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive Video Card: Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 6750 XT 12 GB Video Card Case: *Corsair 4000D Airflow ATX Mid Tower Case Power Supply: Corsair RM750x (2021) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
submitted by ExampleSecret1054 to PcBuild [link] [comments]
CPU: Intel Core i3-13100F 3.4 GHz Quad-Core Processor Motherboard: MSI PRO B660M-E DDR4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard Memory: Klevv CRAS X RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory Storage: Corsair MP600 CORE XT 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive Video Card: Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 6750 XT 12 GB Video Card Case: *Corsair 4000D Airflow ATX Mid Tower Case Power Supply: Corsair RM750x (2021) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
2023.06.03 19:52 ExampleSecret1054 1000$ budget
Hello people, long story short I want to build a pc with a 1000$ budget. Here is a list of my chosen parts. Let me know what I should change.
CPU: Intel Core i3-13100F 3.4 GHz Quad-Core Processor Motherboard: MSI PRO B660M-E DDR4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard Memory: Klevv CRAS X RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory Storage: Corsair MP600 CORE XT 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive Video Card: Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 6750 XT 12 GB Video Card Case: *Corsair 4000D Airflow ATX Mid Tower Case Power Supply: Corsair RM750x (2021) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
submitted by ExampleSecret1054 to PcBuildHelp [link] [comments]
CPU: Intel Core i3-13100F 3.4 GHz Quad-Core Processor Motherboard: MSI PRO B660M-E DDR4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard Memory: Klevv CRAS X RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory Storage: Corsair MP600 CORE XT 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive Video Card: Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 6750 XT 12 GB Video Card Case: *Corsair 4000D Airflow ATX Mid Tower Case Power Supply: Corsair RM750x (2021) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
2023.06.03 19:52 Turtle-dragon Bahamut build for raids
 | submitted by Turtle-dragon to OrnaRPG [link] [comments] |
2023.06.03 19:51 IonHazzikostasIsGod Trying to make sense of fitting motherboard into case
Corsair 4000d mid-tower case, MSI Pro B550M-VC Micro ATX motherboard
So the case came with a box of bags of 20 fan screws, 18 motherboard/hdd screws, 2 thumbscrews, 3 standoffs and 8 washers
I guess my question is would I only be using the thumbscrews/standoffs if the motherboard, if currently placed into the case in the right spot, wouldn't sit in each existing standoff?
I know there are usually 9 screw points but one that's filled in, so would I just use 8 of those motherboard/HDD screws there? Or would I use any of those other bits that came in the accessory kit
submitted by IonHazzikostasIsGod to buildapc [link] [comments]
So the case came with a box of bags of 20 fan screws, 18 motherboard/hdd screws, 2 thumbscrews, 3 standoffs and 8 washers
I guess my question is would I only be using the thumbscrews/standoffs if the motherboard, if currently placed into the case in the right spot, wouldn't sit in each existing standoff?
I know there are usually 9 screw points but one that's filled in, so would I just use 8 of those motherboard/HDD screws there? Or would I use any of those other bits that came in the accessory kit
2023.06.03 19:50 RomeosHomeos I want to make a Tiefling of a Space Clown
I want to capture that magic clown aesthetic. Bard seems like a good option, but I'm open to any caster. Gotta be able to juggle, throw pies of some kind, shoot water, teleport, and summon stuff. Both animals, and some kind of humanoids if possible. plus any other clown related shenanigans you can think of. A spell like magnificent mansion or galder's tower would be great too but idk if they're worth a magical secrets.
submitted by RomeosHomeos to 3d6 [link] [comments]
2023.06.03 19:49 Choice_Equipment788 PC for games for a life-long Mac User. $2k or under if possible.
What will you be doing with this PC? Be as specific as possible, and include specific games or programs you will be using.Gaming only. Iâm not a super high end graphics pusher, but would like to run my games on something other than the lowest settings.
Play the new Diablo 4. Cities Skylines (would LOVE to be able to crank the settings here some), occasionally the new Battlefield, and various other much less graphics intense games.
What is your maximum budget before rebates/shipping/taxes?Maximum is $2k but optimally somewhere in the $1500-1750 range (USD)
When do you plan on building/buying the PC? Note: beyond a week or two from today means any build you receive will be out of date when you want to buy.Even understanding that things advance quick, somewhere in the next 1-3 months.
What, exactly, do you need included in the budget? (ToweOS/monitokeyboard/mouse/etc)I have a decent monitor, keyboard and mouse. So only really need the box itself and power cable. Iâll handle speakers and stuff at a later date.
Which country (and state/province) will you be purchasing the parts in? If you're in US, do you have access to a Microcenter location?North Carolina USA. I think the closest micro center is ~200miles away. So donât really have close access.
If reusing any parts (including monitor(s)/keyboard/mouse/etc), what parts will you be reusing? Brands and models are appreciated.Amazon brand mouse and keyboard (Iâm good with scraping the bottom of the barrel here for a while if it means allowing more budget for the actual PC). Dell 27â monitor (thunderbolt 2, DVI, and HDMI ports).
Will you be overclocking? If yes, are you interested in overclocking right away, or down the line? CPU and/or GPU?Iâm not sure. If the performance gain is significant enough to justify the extra cost of cooling/over locking capable hardware, then yes.
Iâm from a video production background, so gpu is my automatic thought, but I am not knowledgeable enough as to the benefits of overclocking cpu over gpu or cpu with gpu.
Are there any specific features or items you want/need in the build? (ex: SSD, large amount of storage or a RAID setup, CUDA or OpenCL support, etc)Definitely a SSD. Not going to be storing photos or videos here. So if itâs a PCI-e SSD of 512, thatâs plenty. Otherwise a standard SATA SSD anything greater than 512.
Do you have any specific case preferences (Size like ITX/microATX/mid-towefull-tower, styles, colors, window or not, LED lighting, etc), or a particular color theme preference for the components?No preference. It can be the ugliest hunk of metal and plastic in the world, but if it performs, Iâm happy.
Do you need a copy of Windows included in the budget? If you do need one included, do you have a preference?Probably? Do I need more than the free version? Lol
Extra info or particulars:I have been a life-long Mac user. I still use it at work every day and for video production at home. But itâs just not cutting it for games (nor is any console gaming).
So thatâs the background information that explains my general lack of knowledge or frame of reference in this area.
Be gentle
2023.06.03 19:49 themacintoshnerd How do I hide mach and mach.sym from OS 9 properly?
Hi,
So while my G4 tower is booted into OS 9 mach.sym and mach both will sit on the root of the drive unhidden. If I use say File Buddy to hide them thatâll work until OS X (in this case Tiger) is started again. They are always hidden in OS 9 and from any newer machines I may connect the boot drive to. If anyone could provide insight on how to get these two files to stay hidden Iâd really appreciate it. Iâm sure reinstalling OS X would fix it but I donât really want to reset up all the stuff Iâve done to that install Iâve basically got it prefect.
submitted by themacintoshnerd to VintageApple [link] [comments]
So while my G4 tower is booted into OS 9 mach.sym and mach both will sit on the root of the drive unhidden. If I use say File Buddy to hide them thatâll work until OS X (in this case Tiger) is started again. They are always hidden in OS 9 and from any newer machines I may connect the boot drive to. If anyone could provide insight on how to get these two files to stay hidden Iâd really appreciate it. Iâm sure reinstalling OS X would fix it but I donât really want to reset up all the stuff Iâve done to that install Iâve basically got it prefect.
2023.06.03 19:48 Maleficent_Frame_958 I made a story about a lightning monk for skyrim. Should i make it a mod?
Name: Kaelen Stormrider
Background: Kaelen Stormrider is a resilient individual who endured the tragic loss of his parents during his childhood. However, amidst the chaos, an unexpected savior emerged in the form of his ancestral guardian, a 500-year-old arena legend and champion. This revered figure protected Kaelen and his younger brother from their family's killers, using their unparalleled combat skills and wisdom to ensure their escape to safety.
Skills and Abilities: Kaelen inherited his ancestral guardian's lightning-based combat skills and received extensive training from them. He wields lightning spells with precision, channeling the ancient techniques passed down through generations. Drawing inspiration from the guardian's legacy, Kaelen combines lightning-infused strikes and his mastery of Pak Mei Kung Fu to overpower adversaries with remarkable finesse and power.
Information: As a disciple of the Stormseekers and a student of his ancestral guardian, Kaelen embodies discipline, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of justice and enlightenment. He carries the weight of his tragic past but draws strength and guidance from the wisdom of his guardian. Kaelen's journey through Skyrim is fueled not only by his desire to unlock the full potential of his lightning powers but also by his determination to seek justice for his fallen parents and honor the legacy of his ancestral guardian.
Age and Appearance: Kaelen is a young adult in his mid-twenties, while his ancestral guardian remains a towering figure of immense experience and knowledge, appearing as a wise and weathered elder. Kaelen possesses a lean and athletic physique, reflecting his dedication to physical and martial training. His eyes, like his guardian's, hold a mix of determination and a deep understanding of the world. Kaelen's raven-black hair, often tied back in a practical manner, emphasizes his focused and composed demeanor. Both Kaelen and his guardian wear attire befitting their roles as warriors, combining the traditional Stormseeker robes with elements of the arena champion's legacy.
With the guidance and protection of his 500-year-old ancestral guardian, Kaelen Stormrider's journey takes on a profound significance. He not only seeks justice for his parents but also aims to uphold the legendary legacy of his guardian. The guardian's wisdom and unparalleled combat skills serve as a source of inspiration and strength, propelling Kaelen forward as he faces the challenges that await him in Skyrim.
submitted by Maleficent_Frame_958 to skyrim [link] [comments]
Background: Kaelen Stormrider is a resilient individual who endured the tragic loss of his parents during his childhood. However, amidst the chaos, an unexpected savior emerged in the form of his ancestral guardian, a 500-year-old arena legend and champion. This revered figure protected Kaelen and his younger brother from their family's killers, using their unparalleled combat skills and wisdom to ensure their escape to safety.
Skills and Abilities: Kaelen inherited his ancestral guardian's lightning-based combat skills and received extensive training from them. He wields lightning spells with precision, channeling the ancient techniques passed down through generations. Drawing inspiration from the guardian's legacy, Kaelen combines lightning-infused strikes and his mastery of Pak Mei Kung Fu to overpower adversaries with remarkable finesse and power.
Information: As a disciple of the Stormseekers and a student of his ancestral guardian, Kaelen embodies discipline, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of justice and enlightenment. He carries the weight of his tragic past but draws strength and guidance from the wisdom of his guardian. Kaelen's journey through Skyrim is fueled not only by his desire to unlock the full potential of his lightning powers but also by his determination to seek justice for his fallen parents and honor the legacy of his ancestral guardian.
Age and Appearance: Kaelen is a young adult in his mid-twenties, while his ancestral guardian remains a towering figure of immense experience and knowledge, appearing as a wise and weathered elder. Kaelen possesses a lean and athletic physique, reflecting his dedication to physical and martial training. His eyes, like his guardian's, hold a mix of determination and a deep understanding of the world. Kaelen's raven-black hair, often tied back in a practical manner, emphasizes his focused and composed demeanor. Both Kaelen and his guardian wear attire befitting their roles as warriors, combining the traditional Stormseeker robes with elements of the arena champion's legacy.
With the guidance and protection of his 500-year-old ancestral guardian, Kaelen Stormrider's journey takes on a profound significance. He not only seeks justice for his parents but also aims to uphold the legendary legacy of his guardian. The guardian's wisdom and unparalleled combat skills serve as a source of inspiration and strength, propelling Kaelen forward as he faces the challenges that await him in Skyrim.
2023.06.03 19:46 Tight-Present-5005 Scholarly avarice, Lacan, Enneagram Type 5
If there is a concept that makes my blood boil more than any other, it is 'jouissance'. I have no idea how it hasn't been seen through as the fascistic misanthropic statement that it is. I wonder if it comes from a resistance on the part of academic types, typically Enneagram Type 5s (https://drdaviddaniels.com/type-5/) to accept that a person might just actually be in pain and not be somehow 'benefitting' from it in some secret unconscious way. Because then, there would actually be an Other in need of your potential help and assistance. Would it still be justified in that world to squirrel oneself away in ivory towers, endlessly masturbating with theories and jargon?
Is there any better explanation of the academic character?
"Type 5s come to believe that they can gain protection from intrusion and insufficient resources and assure life through privacy, self-sufficiency, limiting desires and acquiring knowledge. Concurrently, Type 5s develop avarice for time, energy, knowledge and possessions. Their attention naturally goes to intrusion and detaching in order to observe. Isolation of affect glues the structure together by helping them detach or cut off from feelings and intrusion from others. Their ultimate concern or fear is ending up completely depleted, drained, or lacking sufficient resources to cope with life."
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Is there any better explanation of the academic character?
"Type 5s come to believe that they can gain protection from intrusion and insufficient resources and assure life through privacy, self-sufficiency, limiting desires and acquiring knowledge. Concurrently, Type 5s develop avarice for time, energy, knowledge and possessions. Their attention naturally goes to intrusion and detaching in order to observe. Isolation of affect glues the structure together by helping them detach or cut off from feelings and intrusion from others. Their ultimate concern or fear is ending up completely depleted, drained, or lacking sufficient resources to cope with life."
2023.06.03 19:45 Scary_Conversation_3 Tower of Death
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2023.06.03 19:44 Nossy_Nerd_8810 A verse used in the VÄjapeya sacrifice to SavitrÌ„ , TÄittirÄ«ya-saáčhitÄÌ 1.7.7.
dĂ©va savitaáž„ prĂĄ suva yajñåm prĂĄ suva yajñåpatim bÊ°ĂĄgÄya divyĂł gandÊ°arvĂĄáž„ ketapĆ«Ìáž„ ketĂĄáč naáž„ punÄtu vÄÌcas pĂĄtir vÄÌcam adyĂĄ svadÄti naáž„~ TÄittirÄ«ya-saáčhitÄÌ (1.7.7)
It's in a meter called mahÄsatobrÌ„hatÄ«, a variation of the brÌ„hatÄ« metre (8 8 12 8). If anyone is interested in knowing, Svadhyaya Mandal Pune lists the rÌ„áčŁi as Soma.
Keith translates it as:
"a O god Savitr, instigate the sacrifice, instigate the lord of the sacrifice for good luck; may the divine Gandharva who purifieth thoughts purify our thought; may the lord of speech toâday make sweet our utterance."
This hymn is not exclusive to just the TÄittirÄ«ya-saáčhitÄÌ, it's found in the MÄitrÄyaáča-saáčhitÄÌ too. VÄjasaneya-saáčhitÄÌ has it too in 9.1, 11.7, and 30.1.
u/Dhvasra has pointed out: The mĂĄntra exhibits an interesting property of Vedic Sanskrit (Whitney 314d) from the stand-point of accent, by the way: DĂ©va and SĂĄvitar are treated as one unit syntactically, so only DĂ©va exhibits the accent, whereas if the words referred to separate Gods then both words would retain the accent as usual for chains of vocatives at the beginning of a pÄÌda (Whitney 314e).
The line dĂ©va savitaáž„ prĂĄ-suva is also found in the PariáčŁecana practice.
2023.06.03 19:44 NamelessNanashi [The Gods of Dragons: Beginning] Ch 15 - Burn Baby Burn
--- Table of Contents ---
Autumn 4986, 16 Aoimoth
Shon and Nangran hobbled their horses at the base of a steep hill deep in the woods north of Hamerfoss. They'd left at fourth bell, before any of the other Squires had woken for their morning run, and it had still taken them hours of riding through narrow trails to reach this place. At least they hadn't run into any monsters. The snow that had dusted the landscape during the night lay thick here, crunching underfoot and occasionally flopping noisily to either side as it fell from the tall evergreen branches.
Shon adjusted the strap of his sword across his chest and reached his left hand back to brush shaking fingers over its hilt. He'd been glad when the Paladins insisted he take it with him. To them, it marked Shon as a representative of Hengist and the Temple. To Shon, it was a sign of his hard work and resolve. Having it was a comfort.
Nangran started up the hill, and Shon hurried to follow. The smith hadnât spoken a word since they set out, not even to try and ease Shonâs anxiety, for which Shon was grateful. Master Daunas had tried to sound confident as Shon saddled his borrowed horse, and The Major General had offered him encouragement as they mounted. Neither realized how much that just drove home the desperation of the situation in Shonâs mind.
The smith pulled his heavy cloak tighter, and Shon looked away. He hadnât bothered to wear his cloak. He'd never really felt chilled in the winter like others seemed to. Now that he knew why, he wished he had. Cold continued to swirl around him, enhanced by his worries. If he could just block those emotions, the power would never have been a problem to begin with.
The trees thinned the higher they climbed, disappearing almost entirely as they crested the top of the hill. The clearing looked over the treetops, offering an unimpeded view of the horizon. Forest all around, with flatland to the south and rocky mountain peaks to the north. Only a handful of small trees grew in the clearing, and in the middle stood a little ramshackle hut only slightly larger than an outhouse.
Nangran threw his arm out, stopping Shon from walking past him, "Don't touch anything. And don't be surprised if he says no right off."
Shon nodded, trying to swallow down his fear so it wouldn't be seen in his eyes. Dropping his hand, Nangran started forward again, finishing, "Be honest, but not insulting." The instructions, -or perhaps advice?- seemed like common courtesy, which made Shon wonder why quiet Nangran had bothered to say anything.
As they drew closer to the little shack, Shon could make out a sign on the door. He squinted to read it and had just made out 'No Soliciting' when the door swung open, banging against the wall and sending birds into flight. An old man, so thin he looked like a skeleton with yellow skin pulled tight across its bones, stormed out. Wearing nothing but a loincloth, he was shaking a thick stick at them that glinted with red rubies in the low autumn light.
"I already paid my dues for this decade! So you can take your request and shove it-" Shonâs hand instinctively reached for his sword, but Nangran just crossed his arms over his barrel chest. The old -virtually naked- man stopped yelling mid-rant and lifted one shriveled arm to shade his eyes as he squinted at them, "Eh? Flintchest, whatâre you doing way out here with a blasted mage in tow?"
Rather than answer, Nangran started forward again, he didn't much care for talking, let alone shouting. Looking from Nangran to the loincloth man, Shon slowly lowered his arm, but still took position to the left and just behind the Smith as they approached the crazy man with the glittering club.
"No mage." Nangran said as he came right up to the strange old man, "Squire." he glanced over his shoulder at Shon and finished, "Sorcerer."
The old man spat on the ground and moved his squint to Shon. Running his eyes from the top of his black head to the tip of his polished boots and back, exaggerating the movement before he stopped at the Squireâs cold blue eyes.
He spat again, then barked "Where's your familiar?" scanning first the ground at Shon's feet then the sky above his head.
Shon blinked at him, furrowing his brow in confusion at the question. The mage snapped his fingers impatiently, "Your familiar! All Sorcerers have a familiar."
Nangran came to his rescue, "Just woke last night," he said shortly.
The mage spat again but didn't argue, "Well, come in then." Shon looked sideways at Nangran, but the Smith had already begun following the skinny old man into the shack. Shon hurried to catch up.
Inside, Shon's eyes were assaulted with a sparkling rainbow of colors. The room they'd entered was considerably larger than the outside would suggest, with plush carpet and a stuffed high-back armchair in front of a blazing fire in the opposite wall. Shelves full of exotic plants, glowing glass jars, and glittering stones filled every available space, reflecting off one another and setting streaks of light to dance on the floor and walls like sun rays through crystal.
There was too much to take in, so Shon focused on their host. The old man was slipping into a thick robe of deep purple velvet. He'd hung the club on the wall beside the door, which looked just as decrepit on this side as it had on the outside.
"Make a habit of greeting visitors half-naked and swinging an old fireball wand?" Nangran asked as he slipped out of his cloak.
"Keeps the conversations short." the old man replied tersely, tying his belt and turning to his guests. With boney knuckles on boney hips and glare firmly planted on his wrinkled face, he snapped, "Don't bother getting comfortable, Flintchest; you'll be leaving soon enough."
The Smith ignored him, hanging his cloak on the hook that had presumably held the mage's robe. "Got a favor to ask," he said, but the old man was already shaking his head,
"More like a favor to cash in. That's the only reason you're in here and not smoking in a hole outside."
Nangran ignored the threat and motioned from Shon to the old man and back. "Archmage Ivelm." The mage looked Shon up and down again as Nangran made the introductions, âSquire Shon.â
"Not much longer, I'd say." Ivelm said to Nangran as he finished his second examination, "It's to the Guild with this one. Too much magic." he turned his head and spat in a brass can by the door. It rang out with a loud âting!' and Ivelm sniffed, looking down at Nangran again, "What do you want, Flintchest?"
"Need a seal. So the boy doesn't freeze Hamerfoss more than it already is." the smith crossed his arms, watching the mage and somehow still seeming completely at ease.
"Eh?!" Ivelm exclaimed, leaning far forward. Shon had to try hard not to crinkle his nose as the old man brought his face close enough that Shon could smell Ivelm's breath. Garlic, the mage ate a lot of garlicâŠ
"So⊠you don't want to be a mage, do you?" he demanded, glaring down his nose at him. Shon shook his head and would have answered with a 'no ser.' except the mage continued, "Rather swing around some hunk of metal like a brute?"
Shon blinked stupidly, and Nangran cleared his throat, "Watch what you say about my swords, old man."
Ivelm ignored the smith as soundly as Nangran had ignored the Archmage, and continued to Shon, "The powers of the universe are at your fingertips. Blood blessed with the strength of the elements, and you wanna throw it all away," he threw his arms into the air, still uncomfortably close, "And for what? Some illusion of an honorable death by the sword?"
Shon didn't know what to say. He looked past the affronted mage's face, only an inch from his own, to Nangran. But the smith gave no sign he was going to help. Shonâs future depended on convincing this strange old man, this Archmage, to helpâŠ
Shon wasn't the type to try and convince anyone of anything, but the least he could do was explain himself. Shon stepped back from the mage to address him from a more comfortable distance. "I chose to dedicate my life to perfecting my art, and my art is martial combat," he said. Ivelm wrinkled his nose, his mouth twisting as if he were going to spit again, but Shon continued, "magic would be better served in the hands of someone who wants it badly enough to work for it. Like I've worked for my martial skills."
Ivelm leaned away from Shon, his eyebrows lifted into his frizzled gray hair. Shon looked to Nangran, hoping for some sign that this was a good response. The smith smiled from behind the mage.
"SooooâŠ" Ivelm drew the word out, "You think only those who dedicate themselves to strict study and practice should wield the power of the universe?" he leaned forward again, turning his head and fixing one eye on Shon like a bird. As if trying to catch him in a lie.
Shon nodded, confused, then asked, "Isn't that what it takes to effectively wield magic? Focused study?"
Ivelm didn't answer the question, instead turning his face to examine Shon with the other eye, scanning him up and down yet again. The old man had looked him up and down so much Shon wouldn't be surprised if the next question were about his hair or boots.
But Ivelm didn't ask another question. Instead, he stood straight and spat into the brass can with another ringing 'ting!' "I like this one," he said, turning his back on Shon and facing Nangran, "But it's too much." he shook his head, lifting his hands in helpless surrender, "Too much power, and ice at that. Stubborn element that one. And it's so finicky to block just elemental magic..."
Ivelm continued talking but Shon heard very little of it. A hole had opened in his gut, and it felt like his heart was racing his stomach to fall into it. But Nangran just rolled his eyes at the mage, interrupting, "Used to be the name in new magic items... made shackles to hold Archmages." he squinted at Ivelm, who had frozen mid-head shake, "Must've gotten rusty outâŠ"
Ivelm snapped his fingers under the Smith's nose to stop him talking, "The mind does not rust, Flintchest!" he huffed, one bare foot tapping under his robe, "Not like your swords and shriveling muscles." Nangran just stared stubbornly, his thick, muscled arms still crossed over his broad chest.
The mage continued to tap his foot, his nose in the air. But as the silence stretched, Ivelm looked down at the smith, who continued to say nothing. The silent battle of wills ended when Ivelm threw his arms up in disgust and shook a finger under Nangran's nose, nearly hitting it, declaring, "I'll show you. I'll make a gem especially for this lad, and you'll see the mind only continues to grow sharper!"
He spun on his heel back to Shon, who had just made out the smith's returned smile from behind the mage when the old man snapped his fingers in Shon's face, making him jump. "Well, what are you waiting for? Come here so I can take some measurements!" Ivelm swung around again and marched across the room to a large workbench with plants and gems scattered across it. Shon scrambled after him, praying his thanks to Hengist and suddenly feeling light enough to float. His anxieties dropping away and melting like snow in summer.
***
It was already noon, and no one had come to see Her. She jumped up to grab the bars of Her window, pulling Herself up to peak out but seeing nothing but new snow and tree trunks. She was full to bursting with nervous energy, amplifying every sound and sensation. Footsteps sounded outside Her door, and She dropped from the window, sprinting across the room and resting Her ear on the wood.
âRan, recheck the lab. Brom, with me.â Archmage Morndancer spoke with his strange alternation between draconic and common as he passed Her door without stopping. She could easily make out the swish of their robes on the stone hall leading away. Three people, Brom, Ran, and Archmage Morndancer. And yet the scurrying of too many feet to be only the two apprentices and Archmage Shaloon, sounded from the floor above. There were strangers in her tower again. Many strangers. Something was happening, something bigâŠ
She ran to Her window again, just for something to do, seeking some way to burn off some of the anxiety of not knowing what was going on around her.
A roar from down the hall, a roar of pain, sent ice washing through her veins. She slammed into the door at full speed. Pounding on the wood, She called out, âBrom?! Ran?!â Nothing. Then a yip cut short, followed by barking and yowling.
She shook the handle with both hands, rattling the door on its hinges, âBROM! RAN!â Something was happening to Her treasures, something terrible⊠The door handle began to glow, the metal warping and sagging as it melted. The knowledge that She would be in more trouble than She had ever been in before was nothing compared to Her terror. She wrenched the handle back with all Her might, splashing molten metal across Her bed, lighting fires that flared in her panic, and sending smoke to curl up to the ceiling.
She didnât care. She shouldered the door open and ran.
âRed?!â She passed the first open door but couldnât stop as Ran called out to Her. Reaching Her treasures' room, She tried to stop but slipped, slamming into the ground with a sticky splash. A final whining bark started a buzzing in Her ears as She stared, transfixed, at Her hands. They were painted red. Warm and sticky. The overpowering stench of iron nearly made Her gag as She looked up to see Morndancer toss aside a glittering golden wolf pup, the body flopping limply over the corpse of its mother and siblings.
Her world went red.
***
The last sample was taken care of, but something roared with enough ferocity to shatter glass.
Morndancer's head snapped around in time for him to fall back, shielding his face with his hands as the Firewyrm exploded. White-hot fire engulfed Her and spread out to the stone floor and walls. His robes began to smoke, the new fire protection spells woven into them being overpowered by the sheer ferocity of the blaze.
Brom had no such spells, and he had only managed a single step towards the girl before he fell to the ground, writhing for only a moment before lying still. The Archmage heard Ran scream from the hall before the journeyman stumbled past the door, flailing wildly. Barely discernible as human inside the flames.
The Firewyrm moved towards him, stepping through Bromâs head, turned to ash, and blown up to dance in the air on the same heatwaves causing the girl's hair to wave wildly about Her. She didn't seem to notice, Her face was expressionless and her eyes glowed as red as the scales across Her cheek. Morndancer tried to snap his fingers, but the golden collar around Her neck melted, Her clothes burning off and leaving Her naked and terrible in the flames.
His robe was burning now, and only the pain of that could pull his eyes from the Firewyrm as he pointlessly tried to beat the fires off. He fell back, hitting the wall, which drooped, sagging and dripping molten stone onto his head and face. Then he fell further back, into a gate that opened behind him.
Shaloon pulled him through the portal and into the library three stories up. The Firewyrm roared again and the tower walls shook with the force of it. The gate closed, but Morndancer continued to burn. He could hear screaming. Was it him? Was he screaming? Fire burst up the spiral stairs in the middle of the room, and apprentices, both their own and many sent from the central and western Talon, scrambled about in a panic, some even leaping from the windows.
Shaloon cursed, holding out her hand and summoning her sword again. She had to draw the circle five times before a second gate finally formed, and she dove through it, pulling Morndancer along with her as it quickly closed. An apprentice reached through, and his arm fell at Morndancerâs feet, miles away in the sitting room of his manor back in Smildna.
He laughed. Shaloon slapped him, and he laughed. Ronni, his daughter, burst through the door, her own daughter, only a year old, perched on her hip, and still, he laughed. âWhatâs wrong?! What happened to him?!â he barely registered his daughter's words and continued to laugh, rolling around on the ground in mirthful madness.
âThe Firewyrm SheâŠâ Shaloon started, but Morndancer yelled over her in draconic,
âShe is true! She is pure! She is rage! The children will come and raise the grandchildren! We have only to await the coming of those Chosen!â the room faded around him, becoming washed out and gray then finally black as he continued to laugh and shout, âThey take those who slew them and use them to raise themselves anewâŠâ
He couldnât feel his burns or the hands trying to settle him. He saw only darkness and stars. And the eyes of his Master boring into his soul from the outer planes.
***
Shon couldn't remember ever feeling so drained in his life. He'd been tired before, exhausted even, but it had never felt quite like this. The eccentric Archmage Ivelm had ordered him to 'empty his energy' into stone after stone. Measuring the weight, color, and temperature of each. Making notes in chalk directly on his table and talking to himself. Shon was shocked the first time he saw the smooth rock handed to him change from a translucent white to an onyx as black as his hair, but by the time they'd gone through the twentieth stone, Shon had decided to stop counting.
Ivelm, however, seemed to get more and more excited with each one. Giving Shon reason to suspect the mage may be taking the energy for himself. After what felt like hours, Ivelm finally stoppered the potion he'd mixed with the most recent jewel, glowing a soft pale blue, and stepped back from the workbench, bony hands on bony hips.
"It can be done." Ivelm swiveled to face Nangran, "He's strong, I donât know how he managed not to manifest until now, but it's all focused in one elemental direction." he rubbed his chin and looked at the ceiling, completely ignoring Shon's arched eyebrow. "It has a bit of divine flavor as well. But I suppose that shouldn't be surprising for a training Paladin." The mage stopped musing and glared down his nose at Nangran, who had made himself comfortable in the oversized wingback chair by the fire, "It will have to be a lot bigger than a piece of jewelry would allow."
The smith just hummed and sipped at his mug. When had he gotten a mug? Shon looked from one old man to the other. It was apparent Ivelm wanted Nangran to ask him for details, but the ever stoic smith said nothing.
Shon was tired. His limbs felt heavy, and the weight of his simple uniform felt more like platemail. He was just about to ask what the Archmage meant, to hurry them along, when Ivelm threw his hands in the air and said, "You'll need to find somewhere to put it. I would recommend that." he pointed at the hilt of Shon's sword over his shoulder, continuing, "If the lad is insisting on swinging a metal stick around instead of harnessing the ultimate powers of the universe then that same stick might as well sap the power literally as well as figuratively." Shon arched an incredulous eyebrow but Ivelm wasn't paying attention, finishing, "I can get it down to about an inch and a half orb. At the smallest. If you want something different, say so now."
Nangran set his mug on the ground and stood with a grunt and a groan. Shon just wanted to go home and sleep for a week, so when the smith reached for the hilt of his sword for a closer look Shon hardly noticed, until the squat smith jerked it down to eye level. Shon swung his arms like a drowning man and stepped wide to prevent himself from falling over.
"Quit wigglin'," Nangran grumbled, studying the sword's pommel with a professional eye. "One and a half'll do, preferably in a tearâŠ"
The mage snorted and continued to ignore the struggling half crouched Shon, his voice dripping sarcasm as he addressed the smith, "Shall I wrap it in silk for you as well?"
"Na." Nangran let go of the sword, and Shon stood straight, lifting his leg to shake out the knee. "Drop it off when youâre done." the Mage snorted again but didn't counter.
None of them were interested in extending the visit, so Nangran grabbed his heavy cloak and shrugged it on while Shon waited by the door. "It will be at least a fortnight," Ivelm called from his position by the workbench, not about to walk them out.
Nangran grunted his confirmation and opened the battered and decrepit door, letting the wind and early autumn snow blow in on their way out. Shon followed numbly, his eyes unfocused as he walked, and ran right into the much shorter man. Nangran hardly moved as Shon bounced off of him. He was squinting into the distance, one large hand shading his eyes. Shon stared at Nangran for a moment before following the direction of his gaze over the tree line.
Smoke. A LOT of smoke. The black clouds billowed violently into the sky, occasionally lit from below by sparks shot high into the air.
"Elm!" Nangran shouted. Shon had never heard the man call so loudly. The Archmage must have also been shocked because the door to his hut swung open and he stuck his head out to look to either side, eyes wide.
"Flintchest, what?" but he soon saw what, "But, that's the old chemist's tower⊠What?" he stood in shocked confusion for a heartbeat before turning back into the hut. Shon looked from the shack to Nangran, but before he could say anything, the mage was back, struggling with two long rods, one blue with what looked like waves painted all around, the other black and studded with diamonds.
"Don't just stand there!" Ivelm snapped at the two as he finally managed to slip the blue rod into a sheath at his side. He then pointed the diamond rod at the space between two close-growing trees. Shon heard him say something unintelligible, and one of the diamonds shot out of the tip of the rod to hover between the trees before expanding into a portal.
Beyond the magical gate, Shon could hear the fire roar. It sounded how he imagined the burning hells might sound, but as he followed the two men through, he realized his imagination was tame by comparison.
The smell of burning flesh and hair choked him as they stepped clear of the gate's magic. The heat smashed into them like a wall, and all three brought their arms up to shield their faces. Around them were the charred remains of what looked like humans, their faces buried in the mud as if they'd been trying to run from the blaze. Shon had to swallow the bile that rose in his throat and focused instead on the fire Ivelm had said was a tower.
It was completely engulfed in bright flames of all colors. Squinting through the light, he could see the stone walls melting like wax. The arch of the doorway sagged in the middle, and Shon's eyes went wide. Someone was in there.
He would've had to shout over the roar of the flames, but it didnât matter; Ivelm was already raising the blue wand, jerking his fingers in strange ways and mouthing words impossible to hear. Water shot out the tip of the wand with the force of a ballista and hissed against the glowing stones.
It wasn't possible. It must be a trick of the flickering flames. But the figure turned its face to them, long hair whipping about as it took steps in their direction.
"Don't just stand there, boy!" Ivelm screamed. "They must have a fire-resist spell; those things don't last forever!"
Nangran grabbed Shonâs upper arm, pulling him a step closer to the fire and down so he could shout in his ear, "Freeze a path."
Shon swallowed. He was so tired, literally drained. He didn't know what to do or how to do it. But the figure in the fire reached out to them only to pull away from a drop of molten rock. Shon fell to his knees, placing his hands on the ground and pleading silently to Hengist. He didnât know what to do, didnât know how to control the power. He tried picturing a path of snow between himself and the tower base, concentrating on it until the mental image overlaid the real world, as he did when imagining phantom fighters during practice.
Ice snaked its way from Shon's fingers towards the burning tower along his mental path, powered by the fear that he wouldn't be fast enough to save the person inside. The water from Ivelm's wand helped carve the way, and Shon grunted physically as he struggled to push mentally. His breathing came heavy and ragged. He could feel the fire melting the edges of the ice as if it were a part of him. Still, he fought back and forced it to continue to form into solid sheets moving closer and closer to the figure still trapped in the tower.
Wherever the ice formed solid, it stayed. The fire drawing back from it until, finally, it reached the doorway. He urged the ice to climb up the doorframe, to hold it in place and keep it from falling, from moving at all.
Shon was seeing double. He struggled to focus on the figure and flinched as they stepped onto the frozen path. The ice hissed and melted under their bare unsteady feet, he could feel it... feel them, their heat, on his ice.
It was a young woman. Or an older girl. She was naked; her clothes burned away by the fire. Her long hair was being blown forward by the heat of the burning tower, obscuring her face. As she moved closer, Shon could make out strange red stripes snaking around her body, standing in stark relief against her pale skin.
Ivelm stepped in front of him then, throwing Nangran's cloak around her shoulders as she crumpled to the ground. Nangran himself knelt beside Shon, resting one massive hand on the Squire's back. "You can stop, ladâŠ" his voice trailed off, and Shon felt an emptiness open in his chest. No one could have survived that, not if they hadn't already made it to the entrance like the girl. As if to punctuate the thought, Shon managed to focus his eyes only to see the tower's entrance wall fold and collapse in on itself, the stones flowing like soft wax.
--- Table of Contents ---
Sorry for the double post today. I wanted to keep Ch 14 & 15 together.
Thanks for making it this far, you are the real MVP
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Autumn 4986, 16 Aoimoth
Shon and Nangran hobbled their horses at the base of a steep hill deep in the woods north of Hamerfoss. They'd left at fourth bell, before any of the other Squires had woken for their morning run, and it had still taken them hours of riding through narrow trails to reach this place. At least they hadn't run into any monsters. The snow that had dusted the landscape during the night lay thick here, crunching underfoot and occasionally flopping noisily to either side as it fell from the tall evergreen branches.
Shon adjusted the strap of his sword across his chest and reached his left hand back to brush shaking fingers over its hilt. He'd been glad when the Paladins insisted he take it with him. To them, it marked Shon as a representative of Hengist and the Temple. To Shon, it was a sign of his hard work and resolve. Having it was a comfort.
Nangran started up the hill, and Shon hurried to follow. The smith hadnât spoken a word since they set out, not even to try and ease Shonâs anxiety, for which Shon was grateful. Master Daunas had tried to sound confident as Shon saddled his borrowed horse, and The Major General had offered him encouragement as they mounted. Neither realized how much that just drove home the desperation of the situation in Shonâs mind.
The smith pulled his heavy cloak tighter, and Shon looked away. He hadnât bothered to wear his cloak. He'd never really felt chilled in the winter like others seemed to. Now that he knew why, he wished he had. Cold continued to swirl around him, enhanced by his worries. If he could just block those emotions, the power would never have been a problem to begin with.
The trees thinned the higher they climbed, disappearing almost entirely as they crested the top of the hill. The clearing looked over the treetops, offering an unimpeded view of the horizon. Forest all around, with flatland to the south and rocky mountain peaks to the north. Only a handful of small trees grew in the clearing, and in the middle stood a little ramshackle hut only slightly larger than an outhouse.
Nangran threw his arm out, stopping Shon from walking past him, "Don't touch anything. And don't be surprised if he says no right off."
Shon nodded, trying to swallow down his fear so it wouldn't be seen in his eyes. Dropping his hand, Nangran started forward again, finishing, "Be honest, but not insulting." The instructions, -or perhaps advice?- seemed like common courtesy, which made Shon wonder why quiet Nangran had bothered to say anything.
As they drew closer to the little shack, Shon could make out a sign on the door. He squinted to read it and had just made out 'No Soliciting' when the door swung open, banging against the wall and sending birds into flight. An old man, so thin he looked like a skeleton with yellow skin pulled tight across its bones, stormed out. Wearing nothing but a loincloth, he was shaking a thick stick at them that glinted with red rubies in the low autumn light.
"I already paid my dues for this decade! So you can take your request and shove it-" Shonâs hand instinctively reached for his sword, but Nangran just crossed his arms over his barrel chest. The old -virtually naked- man stopped yelling mid-rant and lifted one shriveled arm to shade his eyes as he squinted at them, "Eh? Flintchest, whatâre you doing way out here with a blasted mage in tow?"
Rather than answer, Nangran started forward again, he didn't much care for talking, let alone shouting. Looking from Nangran to the loincloth man, Shon slowly lowered his arm, but still took position to the left and just behind the Smith as they approached the crazy man with the glittering club.
"No mage." Nangran said as he came right up to the strange old man, "Squire." he glanced over his shoulder at Shon and finished, "Sorcerer."
The old man spat on the ground and moved his squint to Shon. Running his eyes from the top of his black head to the tip of his polished boots and back, exaggerating the movement before he stopped at the Squireâs cold blue eyes.
He spat again, then barked "Where's your familiar?" scanning first the ground at Shon's feet then the sky above his head.
Shon blinked at him, furrowing his brow in confusion at the question. The mage snapped his fingers impatiently, "Your familiar! All Sorcerers have a familiar."
Nangran came to his rescue, "Just woke last night," he said shortly.
The mage spat again but didn't argue, "Well, come in then." Shon looked sideways at Nangran, but the Smith had already begun following the skinny old man into the shack. Shon hurried to catch up.
Inside, Shon's eyes were assaulted with a sparkling rainbow of colors. The room they'd entered was considerably larger than the outside would suggest, with plush carpet and a stuffed high-back armchair in front of a blazing fire in the opposite wall. Shelves full of exotic plants, glowing glass jars, and glittering stones filled every available space, reflecting off one another and setting streaks of light to dance on the floor and walls like sun rays through crystal.
There was too much to take in, so Shon focused on their host. The old man was slipping into a thick robe of deep purple velvet. He'd hung the club on the wall beside the door, which looked just as decrepit on this side as it had on the outside.
"Make a habit of greeting visitors half-naked and swinging an old fireball wand?" Nangran asked as he slipped out of his cloak.
"Keeps the conversations short." the old man replied tersely, tying his belt and turning to his guests. With boney knuckles on boney hips and glare firmly planted on his wrinkled face, he snapped, "Don't bother getting comfortable, Flintchest; you'll be leaving soon enough."
The Smith ignored him, hanging his cloak on the hook that had presumably held the mage's robe. "Got a favor to ask," he said, but the old man was already shaking his head,
"More like a favor to cash in. That's the only reason you're in here and not smoking in a hole outside."
Nangran ignored the threat and motioned from Shon to the old man and back. "Archmage Ivelm." The mage looked Shon up and down again as Nangran made the introductions, âSquire Shon.â
"Not much longer, I'd say." Ivelm said to Nangran as he finished his second examination, "It's to the Guild with this one. Too much magic." he turned his head and spat in a brass can by the door. It rang out with a loud âting!' and Ivelm sniffed, looking down at Nangran again, "What do you want, Flintchest?"
"Need a seal. So the boy doesn't freeze Hamerfoss more than it already is." the smith crossed his arms, watching the mage and somehow still seeming completely at ease.
"Eh?!" Ivelm exclaimed, leaning far forward. Shon had to try hard not to crinkle his nose as the old man brought his face close enough that Shon could smell Ivelm's breath. Garlic, the mage ate a lot of garlicâŠ
"So⊠you don't want to be a mage, do you?" he demanded, glaring down his nose at him. Shon shook his head and would have answered with a 'no ser.' except the mage continued, "Rather swing around some hunk of metal like a brute?"
Shon blinked stupidly, and Nangran cleared his throat, "Watch what you say about my swords, old man."
Ivelm ignored the smith as soundly as Nangran had ignored the Archmage, and continued to Shon, "The powers of the universe are at your fingertips. Blood blessed with the strength of the elements, and you wanna throw it all away," he threw his arms into the air, still uncomfortably close, "And for what? Some illusion of an honorable death by the sword?"
Shon didn't know what to say. He looked past the affronted mage's face, only an inch from his own, to Nangran. But the smith gave no sign he was going to help. Shonâs future depended on convincing this strange old man, this Archmage, to helpâŠ
Shon wasn't the type to try and convince anyone of anything, but the least he could do was explain himself. Shon stepped back from the mage to address him from a more comfortable distance. "I chose to dedicate my life to perfecting my art, and my art is martial combat," he said. Ivelm wrinkled his nose, his mouth twisting as if he were going to spit again, but Shon continued, "magic would be better served in the hands of someone who wants it badly enough to work for it. Like I've worked for my martial skills."
Ivelm leaned away from Shon, his eyebrows lifted into his frizzled gray hair. Shon looked to Nangran, hoping for some sign that this was a good response. The smith smiled from behind the mage.
"SooooâŠ" Ivelm drew the word out, "You think only those who dedicate themselves to strict study and practice should wield the power of the universe?" he leaned forward again, turning his head and fixing one eye on Shon like a bird. As if trying to catch him in a lie.
Shon nodded, confused, then asked, "Isn't that what it takes to effectively wield magic? Focused study?"
Ivelm didn't answer the question, instead turning his face to examine Shon with the other eye, scanning him up and down yet again. The old man had looked him up and down so much Shon wouldn't be surprised if the next question were about his hair or boots.
But Ivelm didn't ask another question. Instead, he stood straight and spat into the brass can with another ringing 'ting!' "I like this one," he said, turning his back on Shon and facing Nangran, "But it's too much." he shook his head, lifting his hands in helpless surrender, "Too much power, and ice at that. Stubborn element that one. And it's so finicky to block just elemental magic..."
Ivelm continued talking but Shon heard very little of it. A hole had opened in his gut, and it felt like his heart was racing his stomach to fall into it. But Nangran just rolled his eyes at the mage, interrupting, "Used to be the name in new magic items... made shackles to hold Archmages." he squinted at Ivelm, who had frozen mid-head shake, "Must've gotten rusty outâŠ"
Ivelm snapped his fingers under the Smith's nose to stop him talking, "The mind does not rust, Flintchest!" he huffed, one bare foot tapping under his robe, "Not like your swords and shriveling muscles." Nangran just stared stubbornly, his thick, muscled arms still crossed over his broad chest.
The mage continued to tap his foot, his nose in the air. But as the silence stretched, Ivelm looked down at the smith, who continued to say nothing. The silent battle of wills ended when Ivelm threw his arms up in disgust and shook a finger under Nangran's nose, nearly hitting it, declaring, "I'll show you. I'll make a gem especially for this lad, and you'll see the mind only continues to grow sharper!"
He spun on his heel back to Shon, who had just made out the smith's returned smile from behind the mage when the old man snapped his fingers in Shon's face, making him jump. "Well, what are you waiting for? Come here so I can take some measurements!" Ivelm swung around again and marched across the room to a large workbench with plants and gems scattered across it. Shon scrambled after him, praying his thanks to Hengist and suddenly feeling light enough to float. His anxieties dropping away and melting like snow in summer.
***
It was already noon, and no one had come to see Her. She jumped up to grab the bars of Her window, pulling Herself up to peak out but seeing nothing but new snow and tree trunks. She was full to bursting with nervous energy, amplifying every sound and sensation. Footsteps sounded outside Her door, and She dropped from the window, sprinting across the room and resting Her ear on the wood.
âRan, recheck the lab. Brom, with me.â Archmage Morndancer spoke with his strange alternation between draconic and common as he passed Her door without stopping. She could easily make out the swish of their robes on the stone hall leading away. Three people, Brom, Ran, and Archmage Morndancer. And yet the scurrying of too many feet to be only the two apprentices and Archmage Shaloon, sounded from the floor above. There were strangers in her tower again. Many strangers. Something was happening, something bigâŠ
She ran to Her window again, just for something to do, seeking some way to burn off some of the anxiety of not knowing what was going on around her.
A roar from down the hall, a roar of pain, sent ice washing through her veins. She slammed into the door at full speed. Pounding on the wood, She called out, âBrom?! Ran?!â Nothing. Then a yip cut short, followed by barking and yowling.
She shook the handle with both hands, rattling the door on its hinges, âBROM! RAN!â Something was happening to Her treasures, something terrible⊠The door handle began to glow, the metal warping and sagging as it melted. The knowledge that She would be in more trouble than She had ever been in before was nothing compared to Her terror. She wrenched the handle back with all Her might, splashing molten metal across Her bed, lighting fires that flared in her panic, and sending smoke to curl up to the ceiling.
She didnât care. She shouldered the door open and ran.
âRed?!â She passed the first open door but couldnât stop as Ran called out to Her. Reaching Her treasures' room, She tried to stop but slipped, slamming into the ground with a sticky splash. A final whining bark started a buzzing in Her ears as She stared, transfixed, at Her hands. They were painted red. Warm and sticky. The overpowering stench of iron nearly made Her gag as She looked up to see Morndancer toss aside a glittering golden wolf pup, the body flopping limply over the corpse of its mother and siblings.
Her world went red.
***
The last sample was taken care of, but something roared with enough ferocity to shatter glass.
Morndancer's head snapped around in time for him to fall back, shielding his face with his hands as the Firewyrm exploded. White-hot fire engulfed Her and spread out to the stone floor and walls. His robes began to smoke, the new fire protection spells woven into them being overpowered by the sheer ferocity of the blaze.
Brom had no such spells, and he had only managed a single step towards the girl before he fell to the ground, writhing for only a moment before lying still. The Archmage heard Ran scream from the hall before the journeyman stumbled past the door, flailing wildly. Barely discernible as human inside the flames.
The Firewyrm moved towards him, stepping through Bromâs head, turned to ash, and blown up to dance in the air on the same heatwaves causing the girl's hair to wave wildly about Her. She didn't seem to notice, Her face was expressionless and her eyes glowed as red as the scales across Her cheek. Morndancer tried to snap his fingers, but the golden collar around Her neck melted, Her clothes burning off and leaving Her naked and terrible in the flames.
His robe was burning now, and only the pain of that could pull his eyes from the Firewyrm as he pointlessly tried to beat the fires off. He fell back, hitting the wall, which drooped, sagging and dripping molten stone onto his head and face. Then he fell further back, into a gate that opened behind him.
Shaloon pulled him through the portal and into the library three stories up. The Firewyrm roared again and the tower walls shook with the force of it. The gate closed, but Morndancer continued to burn. He could hear screaming. Was it him? Was he screaming? Fire burst up the spiral stairs in the middle of the room, and apprentices, both their own and many sent from the central and western Talon, scrambled about in a panic, some even leaping from the windows.
Shaloon cursed, holding out her hand and summoning her sword again. She had to draw the circle five times before a second gate finally formed, and she dove through it, pulling Morndancer along with her as it quickly closed. An apprentice reached through, and his arm fell at Morndancerâs feet, miles away in the sitting room of his manor back in Smildna.
He laughed. Shaloon slapped him, and he laughed. Ronni, his daughter, burst through the door, her own daughter, only a year old, perched on her hip, and still, he laughed. âWhatâs wrong?! What happened to him?!â he barely registered his daughter's words and continued to laugh, rolling around on the ground in mirthful madness.
âThe Firewyrm SheâŠâ Shaloon started, but Morndancer yelled over her in draconic,
âShe is true! She is pure! She is rage! The children will come and raise the grandchildren! We have only to await the coming of those Chosen!â the room faded around him, becoming washed out and gray then finally black as he continued to laugh and shout, âThey take those who slew them and use them to raise themselves anewâŠâ
He couldnât feel his burns or the hands trying to settle him. He saw only darkness and stars. And the eyes of his Master boring into his soul from the outer planes.
***
Shon couldn't remember ever feeling so drained in his life. He'd been tired before, exhausted even, but it had never felt quite like this. The eccentric Archmage Ivelm had ordered him to 'empty his energy' into stone after stone. Measuring the weight, color, and temperature of each. Making notes in chalk directly on his table and talking to himself. Shon was shocked the first time he saw the smooth rock handed to him change from a translucent white to an onyx as black as his hair, but by the time they'd gone through the twentieth stone, Shon had decided to stop counting.
Ivelm, however, seemed to get more and more excited with each one. Giving Shon reason to suspect the mage may be taking the energy for himself. After what felt like hours, Ivelm finally stoppered the potion he'd mixed with the most recent jewel, glowing a soft pale blue, and stepped back from the workbench, bony hands on bony hips.
"It can be done." Ivelm swiveled to face Nangran, "He's strong, I donât know how he managed not to manifest until now, but it's all focused in one elemental direction." he rubbed his chin and looked at the ceiling, completely ignoring Shon's arched eyebrow. "It has a bit of divine flavor as well. But I suppose that shouldn't be surprising for a training Paladin." The mage stopped musing and glared down his nose at Nangran, who had made himself comfortable in the oversized wingback chair by the fire, "It will have to be a lot bigger than a piece of jewelry would allow."
The smith just hummed and sipped at his mug. When had he gotten a mug? Shon looked from one old man to the other. It was apparent Ivelm wanted Nangran to ask him for details, but the ever stoic smith said nothing.
Shon was tired. His limbs felt heavy, and the weight of his simple uniform felt more like platemail. He was just about to ask what the Archmage meant, to hurry them along, when Ivelm threw his hands in the air and said, "You'll need to find somewhere to put it. I would recommend that." he pointed at the hilt of Shon's sword over his shoulder, continuing, "If the lad is insisting on swinging a metal stick around instead of harnessing the ultimate powers of the universe then that same stick might as well sap the power literally as well as figuratively." Shon arched an incredulous eyebrow but Ivelm wasn't paying attention, finishing, "I can get it down to about an inch and a half orb. At the smallest. If you want something different, say so now."
Nangran set his mug on the ground and stood with a grunt and a groan. Shon just wanted to go home and sleep for a week, so when the smith reached for the hilt of his sword for a closer look Shon hardly noticed, until the squat smith jerked it down to eye level. Shon swung his arms like a drowning man and stepped wide to prevent himself from falling over.
"Quit wigglin'," Nangran grumbled, studying the sword's pommel with a professional eye. "One and a half'll do, preferably in a tearâŠ"
The mage snorted and continued to ignore the struggling half crouched Shon, his voice dripping sarcasm as he addressed the smith, "Shall I wrap it in silk for you as well?"
"Na." Nangran let go of the sword, and Shon stood straight, lifting his leg to shake out the knee. "Drop it off when youâre done." the Mage snorted again but didn't counter.
None of them were interested in extending the visit, so Nangran grabbed his heavy cloak and shrugged it on while Shon waited by the door. "It will be at least a fortnight," Ivelm called from his position by the workbench, not about to walk them out.
Nangran grunted his confirmation and opened the battered and decrepit door, letting the wind and early autumn snow blow in on their way out. Shon followed numbly, his eyes unfocused as he walked, and ran right into the much shorter man. Nangran hardly moved as Shon bounced off of him. He was squinting into the distance, one large hand shading his eyes. Shon stared at Nangran for a moment before following the direction of his gaze over the tree line.
Smoke. A LOT of smoke. The black clouds billowed violently into the sky, occasionally lit from below by sparks shot high into the air.
"Elm!" Nangran shouted. Shon had never heard the man call so loudly. The Archmage must have also been shocked because the door to his hut swung open and he stuck his head out to look to either side, eyes wide.
"Flintchest, what?" but he soon saw what, "But, that's the old chemist's tower⊠What?" he stood in shocked confusion for a heartbeat before turning back into the hut. Shon looked from the shack to Nangran, but before he could say anything, the mage was back, struggling with two long rods, one blue with what looked like waves painted all around, the other black and studded with diamonds.
"Don't just stand there!" Ivelm snapped at the two as he finally managed to slip the blue rod into a sheath at his side. He then pointed the diamond rod at the space between two close-growing trees. Shon heard him say something unintelligible, and one of the diamonds shot out of the tip of the rod to hover between the trees before expanding into a portal.
Beyond the magical gate, Shon could hear the fire roar. It sounded how he imagined the burning hells might sound, but as he followed the two men through, he realized his imagination was tame by comparison.
The smell of burning flesh and hair choked him as they stepped clear of the gate's magic. The heat smashed into them like a wall, and all three brought their arms up to shield their faces. Around them were the charred remains of what looked like humans, their faces buried in the mud as if they'd been trying to run from the blaze. Shon had to swallow the bile that rose in his throat and focused instead on the fire Ivelm had said was a tower.
It was completely engulfed in bright flames of all colors. Squinting through the light, he could see the stone walls melting like wax. The arch of the doorway sagged in the middle, and Shon's eyes went wide. Someone was in there.
He would've had to shout over the roar of the flames, but it didnât matter; Ivelm was already raising the blue wand, jerking his fingers in strange ways and mouthing words impossible to hear. Water shot out the tip of the wand with the force of a ballista and hissed against the glowing stones.
It wasn't possible. It must be a trick of the flickering flames. But the figure turned its face to them, long hair whipping about as it took steps in their direction.
"Don't just stand there, boy!" Ivelm screamed. "They must have a fire-resist spell; those things don't last forever!"
Nangran grabbed Shonâs upper arm, pulling him a step closer to the fire and down so he could shout in his ear, "Freeze a path."
Shon swallowed. He was so tired, literally drained. He didn't know what to do or how to do it. But the figure in the fire reached out to them only to pull away from a drop of molten rock. Shon fell to his knees, placing his hands on the ground and pleading silently to Hengist. He didnât know what to do, didnât know how to control the power. He tried picturing a path of snow between himself and the tower base, concentrating on it until the mental image overlaid the real world, as he did when imagining phantom fighters during practice.
Ice snaked its way from Shon's fingers towards the burning tower along his mental path, powered by the fear that he wouldn't be fast enough to save the person inside. The water from Ivelm's wand helped carve the way, and Shon grunted physically as he struggled to push mentally. His breathing came heavy and ragged. He could feel the fire melting the edges of the ice as if it were a part of him. Still, he fought back and forced it to continue to form into solid sheets moving closer and closer to the figure still trapped in the tower.
Wherever the ice formed solid, it stayed. The fire drawing back from it until, finally, it reached the doorway. He urged the ice to climb up the doorframe, to hold it in place and keep it from falling, from moving at all.
Shon was seeing double. He struggled to focus on the figure and flinched as they stepped onto the frozen path. The ice hissed and melted under their bare unsteady feet, he could feel it... feel them, their heat, on his ice.
It was a young woman. Or an older girl. She was naked; her clothes burned away by the fire. Her long hair was being blown forward by the heat of the burning tower, obscuring her face. As she moved closer, Shon could make out strange red stripes snaking around her body, standing in stark relief against her pale skin.
Ivelm stepped in front of him then, throwing Nangran's cloak around her shoulders as she crumpled to the ground. Nangran himself knelt beside Shon, resting one massive hand on the Squire's back. "You can stop, ladâŠ" his voice trailed off, and Shon felt an emptiness open in his chest. No one could have survived that, not if they hadn't already made it to the entrance like the girl. As if to punctuate the thought, Shon managed to focus his eyes only to see the tower's entrance wall fold and collapse in on itself, the stones flowing like soft wax.
--- Table of Contents ---
Sorry for the double post today. I wanted to keep Ch 14 & 15 together.
Thanks for making it this far, you are the real MVP
2023.06.03 19:44 Scary_Conversation_3 Tower of Death
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2023.06.03 19:43 Scary_Conversation_3 Tower of Death
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2023.06.03 19:43 trippininthewild A Psychedelic Journey in the Enchanting Lake District (with photos and a poem)
 | Every year, like a cherished tradition, my family and I embark on a pilgrimage to the captivating Lake District for a week, a sanctuary that has witnessed our growth and weathered our losses. However, this year held a secret plan within my heart, a deviation from the norm, at 10:15, I indulged in the fruits of my own labour, ingesting little over half a gram of Golden Teachers, nurtured by my own hands. My intention was to keep it a clandestine affair, allowing the walk to unfold naturally, untouched by inquiries into my well-being. Looking back, perhaps it would have been wise to confide in my partner, but fate would have its way, and all would unfold seamlessly. submitted by trippininthewild to shrooms [link] [comments] At 11:00, we embarked on our journey, and the mild effects began to reveal themselves. The pebbles of Lakeland slate beneath my feet seemed to ripple, like whispers from a hidden realm. Yet, my mind remained clear, relishing the scenic splendour as we ascended a rugged, stony track, with distant hills adorning the horizon. Around 11:30, a faint wave of nausea brushed against my senses. Unsure if it was the shrooms' doing, as I had never experienced such discomfort before from them, I confided in my mother. I didnât tell her why I might be feeling like that but she offered me a Rennie, an English indigestion remedy. It soothed my troubled stomach, and we pressed on. During this time, I remained mostly silent, occasionally pausing to admire the majestic hills. At one point, a large military plane swept low across the valley, infusing our surroundings with a thrilling surge of excitement that set our hearts racing. Finally, we reached the top of our short ascent, greeted by a breath-taking sightâWetherlam, an ethereal mountain, where the divine and earthly realms embrace in a captivating fusion. It was all starting to feel otherworldly, and as we descended, we stumbled upon Dale End farm. A modest stall displayed enticing cakes for sale, and several members of our group couldn't resist their allure. One of the farmers replenished the offerings while we were there. Engaging in conversation, my mother's curiosity got us an invitation to witness the lambs under their care. Embracing the opportunity, I watched as my niece cradled a precious lamb named Pickle, its gentle presence evoking a profound sense of connection. https://preview.redd.it/tqo3gj9s9u3b1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e325f92cb9fc45686e399e43e3b0d1cfa0372700 After bidding farewell, our journey continued, leading us to Little Langdale Tarnâa serene mountain lake nestled at the foot of Wetherlam. At 12:30 I was peaking; the psychedelic tide surged within me, as I relinquished the company of the group and allowed the world to envelop my senses. Basking in the sun's warm caress, I closed my eyes, and the boundaries of reality dissolved. Visions of awe-inspiring landscapes inspired by my location danced across my mind, entwined with fragments of the essences of cherished childhood memories, imbuing me with a profound sense of peace and joy. https://preview.redd.it/v8adbe3v9u3b1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=200403bbe283b58180ec5db2309fd867d50dbfd0 A few moments later, difficult to know how long, I realised I should make haste and rejoin the family so as not to cause alarm due to my sudden disappearance. I found them gathered near Slater's Bridge for a well-deserved lunch. This enchanting spot held an otherworldly allure, where a mosaic of slate slabs forms the bridge over the gentle currents of the River Brathay. Dragonflies flit about, and silver-scaled fish gracefully swim beneath the crystal-clear water. https://preview.redd.it/ado73xsw9u3b1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=091d8f8028cc5a4f7ef18d6e8120a9ea84ce4b29 Observing my family seated on a nearby flat boulder, I was overwhelmed by their unwavering care and concern, demonstrated through their attentiveness when I had mentioned feeling unwell earlier. With heartfelt sincerity, I expressed my profound appreciation for our family, perhaps in a manner tinged with sentimentality, but it felt in earnest and like it was the right thing to say. Savouring the simple pleasure of my peanut butter sandwiches, my humble vegetables and the shared indulgence of pistachios with my partner, I found myself inspired to pen a concise poem that encapsulated the essence of my journey, shaped by the flavours that danced upon my tongue. The open skiesThe gentle brookThe falling birdsWith their hooks The lying ladySlumbers lonelyThe bitter tasteOf clashing rocks The sweet nutty tasteOf a close-knit familyThat ask after youOr offer you a Rennie The âlying ladyâ was a figure I saw on the ridge-line of a nearby hill, the way the rocks and the ridge interacted made me think of a woman lying on her back . I closed my eyes a few more times during lunch and had some visuals of a huge human-like form standing in the landscapes we had traversed. This is a recurring vision I have, I donât know who they are but they emanate both gentle serenity and awe-inspiring grandeur. As my family conversed around me, their voices seemed to traverse space and time, whispering from my ear, then from afar, then right before me. Among the kaleidoscope of visuals, one stood outâthe convergence of damp, moss-covered stone walls, forming a sharp angle, on each wall, one brick was replaced by a stone resembling the head of a frog. Its whimsical allure enchanted me without rhyme or reason. After lunch, the children embraced the surrounding playground of nature, and I, transported by the nostalgic embrace of my own inner child, immersed myself fully in the experience. I watched with delight as my niece attempted to capture elusive fish, I leapt from rock to rock, and played the role of a mischievous troll, teasingly pretending to chase after my nephew. In one animated escapade, my enthusiasm startled unsuspecting passers-by on the bridge. Succumbing to the tranquil allure of the waters, I spent the ensuing half-hour perched by the bank, my feet immersed in the cool embrace. As tiny fish delicately nibbled away my dead skin, I revelled in the symbiotic dance between human and aquatic life. https://preview.redd.it/4zukf6sy9u3b1.jpg?width=2838&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c445c4de9987fedff16feccb1e53bf29e8d47376 We passed two hours in this wondrous haven before we ventured towards Cathedral Quarry. Though the psychedelic tide gradually receded, my heart brimmed with gratitude for the extraordinary journey I had embarked upon. Nonetheless I was still awed by this place, within the depths of the cavernous space, a majestic rock pillar stood and through a large window carved in the stone, a vibrant vista of lush greenery unfolded, evoking a profound sense of spirituality. https://preview.redd.it/inaxscxz9u3b1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bdc14bd496d26f999f7376db9f8c3bd8ca9e64a9 As we retraced our steps homeward, the world sobered around me, leaving little to report. Yet, the magnificence of the journey remained etched upon my soulâa reminder that small doses possess the power to unlock extraordinary experiences, granting desirable effects while allowing for a grounded sense of control. At all points I felt that my trip was undetected but my family revealed to me later that I had come across as a little distant and introspective. In due course, I revealed my secret to them, met with curiosity rather than judgment. Dear friends, I implore you to embark on your own pilgrimage to the Lake District, to immerse yourselves in its splendour and perhaps partake in a psychedelic journey of your own. I particularly recommend a walk through Little Langdale, which holds an enchantment unlike any other that even without the aid of psychedelics, is a place of profound magic. EDIT: Formatting |
2023.06.03 19:43 XulfRetsam Opinions on my first Custom build PC
Hello there!
I am looking to build my first PC, for the first time. I have opened PCs before and changed components, I have a decent knowledge of IT in general but never actually assembled one on my own.
I wanted to ask for some humble opinions or tips on my first build. Basically it revolves around a Gigabyte RTX 4090 that I just ordered (hoping it arrives and not just a brick lol).
The CPU, I am undecided between I7-13700k or I9-13900k, more inclined on the first, since I heard stock temps are better and performs almost the same as the I9.
I would use it for Gaming mainly, VR, and maybe some AI and Stable Diffusion.
I am unsure of the RAM, so I found a similar build that used the one below. I also read about some brackets needed for the CPU? Is it necessary for the I7?
Any tip on this would be highly appreciated. I'd prefer to not set the house on fire or damage any of these fairly expensive pieces XD
Here is the List:
PCPartPicker Part List
submitted by XulfRetsam to buildapc [link] [comments]
I am looking to build my first PC, for the first time. I have opened PCs before and changed components, I have a decent knowledge of IT in general but never actually assembled one on my own.
I wanted to ask for some humble opinions or tips on my first build. Basically it revolves around a Gigabyte RTX 4090 that I just ordered (hoping it arrives and not just a brick lol).
The CPU, I am undecided between I7-13700k or I9-13900k, more inclined on the first, since I heard stock temps are better and performs almost the same as the I9.
I would use it for Gaming mainly, VR, and maybe some AI and Stable Diffusion.
I am unsure of the RAM, so I found a similar build that used the one below. I also read about some brackets needed for the CPU? Is it necessary for the I7?
Any tip on this would be highly appreciated. I'd prefer to not set the house on fire or damage any of these fairly expensive pieces XD
Here is the List:
PCPartPicker Part List