Shadowcaller wrote: ↑Feb 02, 2024 12:58 pm
[A Meeting of Minds]
Despite the details and effort the other two are putting in, Ambrosia will still finish last. While first going for something more realistic she eventually has to settle for a heavily stylized tiger with big eyes and a wide mouth containing little dagger-like teeth. The animals posture is rather stiff with four ball-shaped feet planted directly on the table connected to the main body by thick legs.
The only part she was truly happy with was the tail and the stripes which she had managed to make somewhat natural-looking.
"...well, I think it's finally ready." At least it looked like it wouldn't break apart inside the oven or whatever Dorota had planned to do with them next.
Morty wrote: ↑Feb 04, 2024 7:16 pm
[A Meeting of Minds]
"Now I'm going to inscribe a simple motion rune, like what I used on Sizewell and his predecessor Horatio." Ambrosia wouldn't have met Horatio before.
"Then I'll apply some of the dragon essence. And we'll see what happens."
With that, unless the two have anything to add, she does as she described with a small chisel and applies two drops of essence to each figurine.
[A Meeting of Minds]
Utayo considers the following actions with interest. "
I think I may have taken the term 'vessel' more literally than intended." She observes with just a hint of amusement in her voice. It's true that her carp's open mouth leads to a largely hollow interior.
Shadowcaller wrote: ↑Feb 02, 2024 12:58 pm
[Fourth Tower Compound]
"I find myself unable to recall what named you used for it at this very moment but it's commonly referred to as cold iron when in metal form, or dragon tears as liquid." That might be enough of a clue for Bontu to realize just what the satyr was talking about.
It did go by many names because it wasn't just one type of material. It was rather material that had gained spirit repellent properties after having been exposed to something which wasn't fully agreed on even to this day. Theories ranges from the remains of witches to the tears of dragons (hence the second name). More modern theories suggested it was likely to be something less tangible however. Whatever the case there was also different ranges of exposure.
Some exposed items were only dangerous to spirits while others, though
especially deadly to the ensorcelled, could hurt just about anything alive that came close to it. Sometimes with adverse effects that could last a lifetime, however short that might be. Needless to say, the second variant wasn't something they kept around here as it was difficult to store.
However, they did have some of the first variant here as it functioned as a universal bane for every kind of spirit imaginable. Thus, it was also extremely valuable to the fourth tower and any warlock worth their salt. All other wards were specialized to a degree, only functioning against certain categories of spirits. Requiring the full spectrum of what they were taught here to use properly.
Thus spiritbane (or irridiated material if you wanted to get scientific) was mostly only used for the creation of safety rods (akin to fire extinguisher but for spirit-related emergencies) and other more unique items. A warlock that used spirit bane in a ward would commonly be seen as a complete amateur since it was basically admitting that you had no idea what you were dealing with and thus something you shouldn't deal with in the first place.
Of course, sometimes when summoning more experimental entities it was allowed though still not something warlocks, especially younger ones that were afraid of being seen as inexperienced, liked to admit using.
Keeper wrote: ↑Feb 02, 2024 2:14 pm
Fourth Tower Compound
"We don't need very much. Just enough to trap a particularly pernicious fey." Jim adds. Pernicious is definitely the word he'd use on this one.
Murkus wrote: ↑Feb 03, 2024 10:02 pm
[Fourth Tower Compound]
"I'm willing to offer something in exchange, whether it be tools for sorcery, my knowledge as a former Wizard at Court, or my own precious materials. What of them I can offer, anyway," Sticks smiles disarmingly.
[Fourth Tower Compound]
Bontu arches her brow at this. "
There's generally other ways to handle such problems." She shrugs, though. "
But you're not asking for my suggestions. If you're set on this, you can certainly take your request to Vax." Though she suspects Vax would be far less willing to wave away further inquiry.
"
Come, I'll take you." Bontu gestures for them to follow. She leads them out of the room with the deck, and to the door in the center of the main foyer. Through it is a small chamber with one of the teleportation pads that Halo employs. She instructs them where to stand, and suddenly they're a fair distance from where they were just a moment ago. The new room is likewise small, but has stone walls rather than the metal paneling in the undersea facility. The next thing they're sure to notice is the drastic shift in temperature and humidity. It's warm and humid wherever they are.
They exist this small room to another foyer, with similar aesthetics to the one they left behind. This one has a tile circle on its floor, however, and murals on the walls. It's also open to the outside through a large arch. They can catch a glimpse of an open, cobble courtyard with a large tree blocking much of their direct line of sight otherwise. They can certainly see the open ocean beyond it in the distance, though.
Bontu spares to attention to this space, however. She guides to a door that leads directly into an upward spiraling staircase. They head upward for a few floors before exiting and navigating to what appears to be a cozy sitting area with a large window. "
Please wait here." She instructs. Then she knocks on a nearby door, waits a moment, and slips inside.