RP:Paradox and Nature

   Academy of Magics

Settled in a clearing just inside the dense forest a weathered stone cathedral rises; its dull grey walls cloaked in ivy. The first thing noticed upon stepping through the colossal doorway is the high , vaulted ceiling overhead, supported by a series of ornate arches and buttresses. Tall narrow windows line the top of the great hall beyond the portal, casting a mixture of light and shadow about the structure which both illuminates beautifully sculpted stone angels and shrouds the rough-hewn leers of demons. The establishment seems somewhat altered; not entirely possessing the features of a true cathedral, it appears this one has been re-built to serve another purpose. Instead of the usual pews, desks; carved from massive oak and pine, take up the centre of the room. Upon each rests a simple inkwell containing scarlet ink, together with a handsome raven-feather quill. The western side of the hall is taken up with an entire section of remarkably high bookcases; filled from side to side, floor to ceiling with exquisitely preserved tomes and scrolls of varying origin and context. To one trained in magic, the subtle violet shimmer surrounding them would be simple to interpret as protection from the tooth of time and the touch of mother nature. To the east lies a third section, this one being taken up by comfortable crimson coloured satin chairs and skillfully polished oak tables- surrounding a single, massive fireplace embellished with golden runes; evidently for more relaxed conversations and discussions amongst the order residing here. A set of stairs leads up from the far end of the room to an alcove in the wall, where high-backed chairs reside around a large table, the dark wood inlaid with intricate ivory detail. Clearly, this area is reserved for the leaders of these halls. An errant breeze dances through one of the windows, the banners which hang from the ceiling rippling gently in its wake. Upon closer inspection, they would be revealed to be constructed of silk, bearing no other marking than five silver circles upon the dark violet background. This place seems to be a facility of learning and wisdom, a sanctuary for scholars and magicians

Lydrain sits in a large armchair by the fireplace. There was an open bottle of brandy on the side table, and a half full glass in his hand. He let out a long sigh before finishing his drink. The glass settled back onto the table with a light clink. There was a weariness to Lydrain's eyes that no amount of magic could hide. He honestly should learn to worry less and sleep more, that would help him out a ton, but, instead, he decides to dwell on things he cannot change, or things he simply cannot predict. Letting out another sigh, he pours himself another glass, and begins to sip, savoring the flavor.

Sabrina’s footsteps echoed against the high ceiling. Today she finally put her hunting boots gear back on for a daring venture beyond the immediate surroundings of her home. She had reminded herself to visit this place upon happening across it in a nightly travel. She was surprised to see Lydrain here, despite noting that he was the one who invited her weeks past. It was not a fact she would remember but as she approached she searched his wrists to see if she had marked him as friend or foe. It was enough comfort to her to know she had been recognizing people lately; the recognition was more of a feeling of familiarity than precise knowledge of the individual in front of her. He looked tired… more than tired, worn out. She clears her throat so as not to sneak up on him and if he looked up her hunched form would indicate she probably needed at least another few days downtime. “Wake up on the wrong side of the bed did we?”

Lydrain heard her voice and visibly relaxed. It was actually someone that he did not mind speaking with. Looking up at her, he just smiles, a weary smile, "Good morning Sabrina, and, I guess I did, though, by the wrong side, I am referring to two days ago." Motioning to the other big chair nearby, "Please, sit down. It honestly doesn't even look like you should be up and walking around, but, then again, I'm not much of a doctor..."

Sabrina accepted his offer and guiltily took noisy steps in that direction. She propped her bow against the arm of the chair before sitting down, honestly, enchantment or nay, it didn’t look as though she would be able to draw it anyway. “Walking is good, though I findmyself too weary to hunt. I will go the range in Sage later today.” All that aside she was still easing herself into a sitting position where she could curl her legs up under her form. “Two days is not so bad, it looks like you have been up for weeks. Is everything alright?” She did not adhere to a human practice of nightly sleep either.

Lydrain let out a sigh, "Oh, everything is as well as expected, I suppose. I'm honestly surprised Vuryal hasn't made his grab for power yet, and I suppose that is why I am still awake. Trying to predict the actions of a chronomancer is a lost cause, but I continue to try anyway. Perhaps if more of them had been willing to write their findings down...." He motions to the brandy, and to an empty glass nearby, "Would you like something to drink?" He wasn't sure if he should even offer, due to it only being the wee hours of the morning, but he would feel like an ungracious host if he did not.

Sabrina is more than happy to indulge in the amber pain killer. “Have you checked the Book of Ara to see if there are any secrets? You would need hours of studying to find a scrap of information but I am sure something is written somewhere- it might even prove helpful.” She contemplated loaning the book to him but wondered if she would get it back when he was done.

Lydrain shook his head, "I hadn't thought to look in there, though, that isn't really my book to guarantee the knowledge of. Not to mention, even if I knew about chronomancy, I honestly doubt, using the accepted principles of magic, that there is anything that can really be done. When we have to fight him, I'm sure we will just have to work on the fly." Shaking his head, "Time magic itself seems like a paradox. So it must give him some inherent immunity to such things... but if that is the case, why doesn't he just create an army of himself?" He grumbles and finishes off his new glass, "I honestly have no idea."

Sabrina shifted in her seat to accommodate a tearing pain in her side. “The funny thing about paradox’ is that eventually nature wont allow it. He can push and push with all the magic but even Gods have to adhere to some form of structure and rules. If nature cannot correct what it deems as a mistake it will come crashing in on itself and force him into non existence. Headmaster, you are looking to the future to fix the problem but the problem-solution is in the wake of his destruction. The answers are there if you but seek them out.” She took a long drink and sets the glass down. “If he exits in this plane, he must follow the order of its basic principles. Gravity, density, mass… strip it down to the bare black-and-white basics. If he can affect the world around him, even for a split second, he opens himself to be affected by things in that very world.”

Lydrain nods his head, "That is very true, and I think I might have something that could help against him... but, honestly, without knowing the lengths that his powers allow him to go, it is very difficult to formulate any kind of battle strategy. He hasn't even begun the recruitment process, at least not really. Whispers are all he is, and nothing more. I really just need to relax, and allow myself to get some rest, and once he starts making his move, then we make plans."

Sabrina sighs. “In any case he isn’t impervious to the happenings of this place or it wouldn’t be worth the game. There must be something to be gained for him to take such an interest in all of this, and once you find out what that is you will hold is weakness in your hand.” She leans back in the chair regretting walking this far to begin with. “It is a truth that you gain nothing if you are not well rested. But I would check your books for history of his presence. Clearly somebody had to write –something- down. If I were you I would invest in the help of the Druids, the only decent combatant against these magics is their opposite, Nature.”

Lydrain nods his head, "I was here the last time the parasite walked these lands. He was then known as Vuryal, the Emperor of the Archmosian Empire. I 'worked' for him for a time. In truth I spied on his operation from the inside, and that is how I know he isn't omniscient, because, if he was, I would be dead. He would have never allowed me to continue to spy against him. To release the secrets of the Empire to those who fought him openly. He tends to have a pattern: Show up, gather an army, begin to attack, gain the advantage, and then, without a trace, disappear completely, leaving his army leaderless, and the world in partial ruin. He is a monster, plain and simple."

Sabrina wasn’t here the last time, and she sure didn’t know anything but what was whispered in taverns about this ‘parasite.’ “Then, it seems to me, if you are giving up, you should probably start planning to pick up the pieces.” She winks at him playfully, hoping he would see the more valid point regarding his moral. “Get some rest, try to look at this from a different side when you wake. If the world comes to an end while you are sleeping then you wake with nothing to worry about.” She loosens the tunic around her middle as her shifting had caused it to rub against her skin. “Which reminds me… I am looking for some help keeping out the riff raff. A pair of fine apprentices. If you have any in mind they will need to know basic defensive skills and adept in herbology.” She smiled at him warmly “ I do not intend on them being in danger, just man a storefront. I have much time before I need them so if you could keep an eye out on those students who have nowhere to go after this.”

Lydrain nodded his head, "I have several students who are looking at taking on jobs, though none of them know where to start. I may simply drop several of them hints, and allow the brightest of them, or, at least the ones who get the hints, to head your way." Letting out a rather large yawn, he then looks at Sabrina, "I would highly recommend that you rest here for a while yourself. I can have our resident alchemist look at your wound and give you something for it, something that will at least make your travel home easier, or..." He thinks for a moment and smiles. Clapping his hands twice, a magic carpet comes soaring down a stairwell and flies up to Lydrain. Patting it much as one would do a dog, "Good morning Basil, rest well I presume?" Granted, that was just a formality question, seeing as how the magic carpet didn't really need to rest. He turned to look at Sabrina, "Basil could give you a ride home if you prefer? I'd offer to do it, but I just flew back from Rynvale, and then from Cenril, so i'm afraid my wings might be a little sore at the moment..."

Sabrina nodded in approval of his job-offer process. She pushes up from the chair, painfully so, and reaches for her bow. She couldn’t muster the energy to stow it across her form so it hung in her left hand clutches. “I would not recommend sending them to Ara, the house has decidedly phased again. If it does not reappear in the next few days I will be looking for alternative prospects.” She lays a few shinies on his table for good measure saying “No Dragon in his right mind would take a passenger for a ride that isn’t aesthetically pleasing.” She winked at him playfully. He was a fine specimen but in her opinion a toy for the mind and nothing else.

Lydrain chuckled, "Payment isn't necessary, and you would be surprised what a dragon would do for friends." With a quick turn of his head, he looks at Basil, "I'd like you to take Sabrina wherever she needs to go, alright? And no funny business. I mean it." He gave the carpet a rather stern look and it lowered itself down to the ground, allowing easy mounting. Looking at Sabrina, a smile on his face, "You do need to take care of yourself now. Get plenty of rest. Otherwise, who else would I have to talk to at all odd hours of the night and morning?" He chuckled, and sunk back into the chair, "You can, Basil, go fly about for yourself, after you get Sabrina wherever she would like to go."

Sabrina liked flying less than she liked swimming but at risk of appearing rude she accepted the ride and slid cautiously upon Basil and tore fingernails into the bindings of the weave. “Somehow I feel like I am going to regret this.” Her voice was shaky and forcibly sweet. She missed the days of travelling by hound and it donned on her she would need to get to Frostmaw one way or another. She seemed lighter in that revelation while she put in her request in Elvish.

Basil would respond smoothly and politely, making the least amount of 'turbulence' as possible. The magic carpet would fly her anywhere she would like to go, even Frostmaw, if she so requested it, and it would be a smooth flight, all things considered, and provided there was no external influence, such as bad weather or being attacked. Lydrain would be asleep in the chair before Sabrina was even out the door, obviously he had been working too hard, or worrying too much, and his body finally decided that enough was enough.