Dragon Age (recruiting again, started)

[Crayzor]

Ashalle gestured dismissively at Allister. "The darkspawn are more dangerous at the moment than blood magic. I will not do anything against you while you still serve the Grey Wardens." She frowned as he watched him walk away. The man was powerful, intelligent and manipulative, a dangerous combination. Was he really here to combat the Blight? Or was he playing a game too well hidden for her to see. Whatever he was doing, his presence made her feel uneasy.

 

[Darth Caelum]

Allister's eyes slid to the Archon Warrior, observing and confirming. Well of course, she will try to get the others against me. But, in the end, she won't, CAN'T, get them to kill me. The ones who fight for good will not, seeing as fighting amongst themselves will do NOTHING, instead thinking the Darkspawn a more credible threat. They may have their suspicions, but in the end, they can't do ANYTHING to me, not unless they find any proof that confirms their suspicions, and I bid them Good Luck with THAT. Those of more.....morally gray feelings, will need SIGNIFICANT payment to try and kill me. They know that I am a Ruthless, Cunning, and Intelligent Bastard. Not to mention a Bloodmage. If Tevinter can manage to convince them to fight him, and he already had countermeasures for that, then he would be very impressed. I wonder how high their tolerance for pain is?

The Bloodmage pondered a little as he continued walking deeper into the Castle They have very little of what I need, so them distrusting me will not be such a bad loss, and there are always ways to manipulate a person, even if he doesn't like you. Simply, Twist them, Twist their Morals, Their Beliefs, Everything that they use to see in the Darkness. Then they will fall. But not right now. I have nothing to gain by Breaking them as of yet. The Main Threat from within this group is the Tevinter. For that, I must observe her more. Learn more from her. Once I fully understand her, it would no longer be a question of whether or not he would break her. But a question of when can he Break her that would benefit him the most.

But he had to outmaneuver her for now. While it would be difficult to get the rest of the party against him, he still had to strangle her Power Base. He couldn't let her gain any ground in forming alliances. The Bard is already a lost cause, for both her and I. He needs both of us, so he would be reluctant to try and kill me. At the same time, he still had to turn him into something resembling an Ally. The Spirit Magus would be......EXTREMELY difficult to turn. He had to break her. Break everything he holds dear, then subtly position the shards into the most Strategically beneficial position. The Reaver Sevink....would be a good bet here, we are in a relatively warm friendship. Allister snorted silently to himself Well, at least compared to the rest of the Companions. The timing couldn't be better as well. The Tevinter would talk to the Bard, and the Bard to her. The Spirit Magus would be unlikely to find a good reason to interfere in the discussions of a Bloodmage and a Reaver, and the other Reaver is quite welcome to join.

Allister approached Sevink and talked to him. "So Reaver, how long have you been practicing your art?"

 

[Sir Strange Of The House Lycan]

"Since I could stand Blood Mage,and I insist you call me Sevink."
He put the great sword back into it's sheath and returned his cloth to it's place on his belt.He looked at Allister in a manner most friendly,seeing him as the mage and elf equivalent of himself,though slightly smarter and less cheery.

 

[Darth Caelum]

Allister Smiled "I see. So that means that you were raised in a Village of Reavers? Impressive. I would certainly like to see you in battle Sevink."
He looked at Sevink with a combination of Interest, and bemusement. Let's see....what kind of person are you then Sevink? I need to see more....

 

[The Zango]

"I am most interested to hear your tale aswell Sevink, I have never known a Reaver and always thought they would be very objectionable, you however.." said Neria as she appeared beside Allister, a look of interest and compassion painted on her face.

Darius would most likely join them aswell, seeing as he would want to speak to her about his brat and she would play along, if not just to further confuse and antagonise Allister.

 

[Sir Strange Of The House Lycan]

"Generally,there's screaming,slicing,eating and enough blood to paint a manor.It's usually very fun.As for my tale,it's rather uneventful,I was raised in a village with violent and stupid brutes.After my Raver training was complete,I set out into the world and helped those who need it.It's a shame people find Reaver reprehensible,I could have made a lot of people safe."
Sevink picked up the last of the rations and ate it happily.

 

[Darth Caelum]

Allister glanced towards the Archon Mage and smiled inwardly Oh? Trying to outmaneuver me hmm? Well, Darius' speed is dissapointing. But not Game breaking levels yet. Also, wrong tactic. He doesn't need or want Compassion. He likes steaks though

Allister handed Sevink a steak, mostly dry sue to his experimenting with it. "Oh I'm sorry, my name is Allister. Though it is true that there is Much.....distrust towards both Reavers and Bloodmages, it doesn't necessarily mean that all of us would immediately wat you, or siphon of the blood of your bodies. Though I may do just that". Allister chuckled a little, "Still I hope that we can be stalwart allies" In place of handing out his hand to shake the Reaver's hand, he gave him a steak.

"Sorry about the Dryness, I used the blood within it for my experiments. Though, it should still be good. It was Fresh when I was still in my Hideout 2 days ago" Allister looked at Neria slyly, without the Reaver noticing the look

 

[Sir Strange Of The House Lycan]

Sevink shook Allister's hand,smiling broadly,before his bit into the steak and tore a large chunk off.When he was done eating he apologized for the rude manner in which he ate it.
"I hope so too Allister,though know one thing."
He stood and looked at them both smiling.
"I am no fool,and if you try to manipulate me you will be on the wrong end of a sword.I hope this never becomes the case."
He bowed and walked off to looked around the place they were currently in.

 

[Darth Caelum]

Allister resignedly smiled Oh? He can see that? Clever little Man......Good to know. At least the Archon Mage has been denied an easy victory. As have I in fact, but as long as she's inconvenienced.... Turning to Neria, he said in a venomous voice "I can see you as well woman. I swear, manipulate any of them to the objective of trying to end me, and I will see to it that you're days are ruined for the rest of your miserable little life. Do you understand me?"

As soon as he said that, he immediately pulled on his mask again. Turning his face back into the Calm and Handsome default expression that it was. "But you REALLY don't need to spend all of your days trying to outmaneuver each other. Seriously, i thought we were allies here" He ended in a Sarcastic and mocking tone.

 

[The Zango]

"I find the fact you are so threatened by me to be very amusing Allister. Why would I waste my time with a paranoid little man such as yourself?"

Neria turned to walk away, paused and turned to face Allister once more.

"You think you can hurt me? Remember I am from the home of Bloodmagic, do you not think I know how to counter it?"

She gave him a teasing, venomous smile and walked away, she didn't know where she was heading but she needed some time alone, Away from vile creatures and egotistical magisters.

 

[Darth Caelum]

Allister smiled Trying to gather up the pieces of your pride hmm? The Home of Bloodmagic though you have Tevinter, you yourself are NOT one of us. I doubt a Bloodmage, ANY Bloodmage would teach you our secrets. Yes you may be able to dodge it, defend against it, but you know NOTHING of it. So the Advantage is mine. As is, of course, you're ability to whack me over the head with a blade, then blast me with lightning or something.

Allister dismissed the Archon Mage from his mind, and proceeded to walk down the Castle. Man, this place is DEEP.....

 

[Shanaar]

Spoiler: OOC

I'm back from Scotland and sorry about the poor grama, it's late and I don't have a pc at the moment.

While looking around the chamber they had walked in, Laurence listen and observered the conversation between the rest.

Mmm I always thought that all magic was the same. It seems there are different ways of magic and not all are equale accepted. I need to know more about magic, but who to ask? He is to arrogant, she.... there is something familiar about here maner. That leave's the human hating elf.

Laurence walked over to Ashelle. "If you would be so kind fair elven maiden, but I could not help but over hear you conversation whive Daruis and that other mage. Could you enlichten this child and tell my why there are different kinds of magic. I always thought that magic came from the same source."

 

[Lavoscraft]

"Ah, there you are Neria." Darius spoke behind, his smaller blade out as he sharpened it on with a whetstone. Sparks flew off of it as he walked up to them. Sheathing the blade he tossed the whetstone as he looked at the mage. "So I presume you've heard me talking to the blood mage about my son." He watched as the blood mage his violet eyes returning to Neria a cold expression masked his emotions as he spoke. "Of course I could simply ask any arcane warrior however you have other aspects that I wish to impart on my son, as the blood mage told me, your quite the manipulative one." He played his guitar once more, a soft tune that seem to echo in with the surroundings. "Of course any normal man would be insane to ask, a blood mage whom is obviously a murderer and an arcane warrior who would have all the men swooning at her feet to come with him and teach his child their arts."

"My wife is also an elf." He continued plucking the guitar as he stopped as he looked at her. "Not the Dalish I was raised with, no..she was orphaned and raised by the Chantry...we often disagree upon views but I do love her anyway." Darius began an odd rhythmic tapping on the guitar. "But enough of my life, I ask you Arcane Warrior if we live through this battle, I would wish for you to come to my estate and train my son in the Arcane. Of course he will also be learning the blood magic from Allister but I feel that is not enough and if you wish to do so, then my grandfather's tome of battle magic will be open to you as will it be to the blood mage." Darius tone held a quiet strength to it as he swung the guitar to rest on his back. "Unlike you and Allister I am not interested in your petty squabbles in control, I simply wish to gain teachers for my son, if you do not wish to teach him I can always find someone else." He said with a slight bow as if readying to leave.

 

[Crayzor]

Ashalle looked up as Laurence addressed her. He wants to know more about magic? Fair enough. I suppose I have no reason to withold that information from him.

"You are right to think that all magic comes from the same source, human. The Fade, the realm of dreams and sprits, is the place where magic originates. When we use magic, mages use their natural mana to tap into the fade and use it to create spells. That is why dwarves cannot use magic, as they are unable to connect with the Fade. Blood magic, however is different. It requires the use of blood, the very essence of life, as fuel for magic. While it normally comes from the user's own body, more powerful blood mages, such as Allister, use the life of others. It grants the user power beyond that of a normal mage, and most cannot resist the allure of that power, once they have tasted it." She sighed and paused for a moment before continuing. "The Chantry believes that it was the Tevinter Magister's use of blood magic, using it to enter the Golden City of their 'Maker', that created the darkspawn and brought the Blight upon us. Nonsense, of course, but blood magic is still very dangerous. That is why I do not trust Allister."

She finished and was surprised with how straightforward she had been with the human. But, then agian, compared with the others who had journeyed here with her, he seemed the most tolerable. He didn't strike her as blood thirsty or uncivilised as Sevink, nor as manipulative as either Allister or Neria. Besides, it would do her well not to make enemies out of all her new comrades.

 

[The Zango]

'Can I not have a moments peace? At least its Darius, he's slightly more tolerable, not that he has much competition...'

"I shall consider teaching your child my arts" Said Neria as she turned to look Darius in the face, she wore a warm, gentle smile yet in her eyes bore a slight tinge of hurt.

'Form your own opinions, pathetic sheep!'

"However I don't appreciate your accusations of me being manipulative, you wish to follow every blind accusation Allister makes? I'd prefer if you formed your perceptions of me once we had known each other for atleast a little longer"

She was of course lying about teaching his son however, she would hardly need the knowledge in Darius' tomes, once her plan had come to fruition. It was best however to give the Bloodmage an impression of a status quo and so she was playing along.

'For now'

 

[Shanaar]

''So let me get this straight, mages use mana to tap in to another realm to cast spells and dwarves can not use magic because they are not connected to the fade. So what happens if a mage gets cut of off the fade and is such a think even possible?'' Laurence asked.

''And there is this blood magic. So Allister uses some ones blood to cast spells. So he can use my blood to cast his spells to, I don't know, heal himself. This might sound selfish, but I just hope he uses the reavers blood to cast his spells, they seems to can stand a thing like that.''

So Allister is some one to watch out for. Power mad and able to use some ones blood against himself.

 

[Crayzor]

"It is possible to prevent a mage from accessing the fade, although it is not a pleasant thing to do. With the help of an enchanted brand crafted from refined lyrium, the link between a mage and the fade can be cut, leaving the unable to use magic and destroying the emotional centre of the brain." She locked eyes with Laurence. "The loss of magic and their emotions is the worst punishment a mage can undergo, and it is not something the Dalish do lightly."

But I will do it to Allister if he becomes too dangerous.

"The Chantry, however, with it's superstitious fear of magic, would gladly destroy all mages in this way."

 

[Lavoscraft]

Darius eyes scanned along the woman and with a slight bow he gave off his own smile. "I apologize, his magic must have gotten to my head." He calmly responded as he brought up her hand and kissed it lightly. "Thank you Neria, I have gained all the information I needed." He said with a bow. Walking a way his face distorted to a cold look.

'That woman is worse than the blood mage, at least the murderer is honest about what he does, this girl will not do, her motives are still a mystery and she may get in the way of my son...like Allister she'll need to be dealt with.' His thoughts held a cold simple truth within them.

'At least if the Blood Mage is useful and at my estate he won't be spreading his ruination across the land, however he may attempt his arts and experiments in my domain, at least I shall have an ace up my sleeve..no matter tis time to talk to the spirit mage.'

"Ah Laurence, I was wondering if you and I could perhaps perform something for the Grey Wardens after we become initiates, do you have anything you like to play?" He asked his violet eyes scanning the other bard. The man was most likely a trained bard like himself however he was unsure how far his the man's experiance was. As if noticing Ashalle he gave a quick bow. "My lady I felt I left to hastily earlier before, allow me to explain myself now, you see Allister is a danger to the people, and after he becomes a Grey Warden he will be exempt from the laws for his practice of blood magic. Whilst I gain a teacher for my son, I also keep the mage from experimenting on the populace. In a sense since he will remain at my estate I shall be responsible for the blood mage, and I believe that blood magic will also have benefits far beyond what you may think." He said his eyes ever scanning the woman, assessing her in her subtle movements.

"So I ask you as well my lady, would you perhaps train my son in your arts as well? As well you can keep tabs upon my son's training with the blood." He said smoothing his hair with his hands. "Perhaps you think me mad, perhaps you are right but as I've said before I simply wish my son to be great and since he holds magic, that power will be his calling as it was yours." He looked up with a simple smile, one that held regrets, strength and most of all a simple truth that he was doing what he thought best for his child.

 

[Crayzor]

Ashalle looked the man in the eyes, seeing the sincerity with which he felt he was truly doing the right thing. He almost made her want to agree to help him. Almost. "No." She replied, looking away from him. "I will have nothing to do with blood magic if I have the choice. I have seen the evils of that art with my own eyes, and I could not in good conscience stand by and watch a child be tainted by it. If you reconsider, and choose not to let Allister teach your son, I will be happy to teach him myself. But unless that happens, nothing you can do will persuade me."

 

[The Zango]

Spoiler: Little annoyance

One thing thats been slightly annoying me throughout the course of the RP, is the fact that everyone has been reading Neria's mind somehow and that everyone has been picking up on her ulterior motives/deceptions with some kind of mega-perception (with the exception of a small few).

Whenever she's interacting with another character and has one of her snide thoughts, your characters seem to hear it somehow and treats her like she's broadcasting her thoughts.

I understand it would be no fun to have Neria have all of your characters wrapped around her little finger but its quite irking for me to find that almost everyone has seen through her well practices disguises like she has 'Manipulative *****' tattooed on her forehead.

Neria is far from a flawless character and she has many weaknesses (mostly psychological), but her manipulation and acting skills however are not included. She has been practising her 'art' for years and has honed her skills to nigh perfection.

So could you please stop seeing through Neria like she's transparent?

I'd be more than happy to discuss this further with anyone else that wishes to, just drop me a Pm and we can talk it through. Please don't take my rant to mean that I'm not enjoying Rping with you guys, quite the opposite, you all have very interesting, deep characters and despite the Gm's slight lack of direction we are doing great.

Here's looking forward to a long, enduring Rp!

Neria nodded to Darius as he turned to walk away and once he had done so, she continued deeper into the castle to try and get some brief, fleeting moments of peace.

If anyone else tracks me down in here I swear, I will kill someone