Ment
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Carolyn
The night is quiet in Ninsharria. Sometimes it seems that with just a little more, one could hear the crackling flames of all those millions of bright stars in the black sky. But then, if you were there at that moment, your ears would be plugged by an unexpected sound, and your eyes stung by a bright flash that instantly extinguished the stars. But this was brief; silence took hold once more. And it seemed as though nothing had changed, except for the fact that a small bundle had appeared next to the front door of a wealthy mansion...
The aristocrat opened the door, looked around, and was quite surprised. He took the bundle, looked inside, and pulled out some kind of envelope.
-- What is it, Khenis? -- asked a woman, apparently his wife.
-- Bring a candle.
The contents of the envelope were somewhat strange:
"My dear friend Khenis, you probably remember me. I am that grey-haired old traveler whom you helped several years ago. As it happens, I am actually a kind wizard, heh-heh.
I wonder what you're thinking right now? Probably that I'm about to give you some incredible gift... Luck, happiness, a long life, yes? Forget it, we don't live in a fairy tale. On the contrary, I'd rather burden you. You will work twice as hard as you do now for the rest of your life, toil, suffer, and die an unnatural death. Well, that's what I think. I'd bet money on it, hahah.
Anyway, along with this letter, I am sending you a greeting from Ishanad: my small child. You go ahead and raise him—or her—if it's not too much trouble. I would have done it myself, but I experimented a little here, and now I don't really like the way she looks at me, heheh.
Well that's all, you can't send letters back to me; I don't need news from you, anyway, so farewell forever, you fool.
Your dear friend,
You Have No Idea What My Name Is And I Won't Tell You Anyway."
-- Darling?
-- Yes?
-- Do Ishanad mages even have children?
-- Um, what?
-- Hm... -- Khenis warily brought the candle close to the infant's face. Mouth-nose-eyes, everything was generally normal, just like any other child. -- Could it be black magic?
For some time they simply stood and remained silent. Finally, the woman spoke:
-- We can't just leave a child here. Let's take her inside; it's cold now.
-- Yes, of course, you're right. Hm... -- Khenis removed the little hood from the child. -- Listen, she has... Ears.
Ten years later.
The Ishhegal library, although noticeably poorer than the Licinian one, still contained some knowledge. This was especially true regarding Ishanad magic, for which Nanaiya had a fondness. The little girl sat between the shelves and was completely immersed in this field of knowledge—not only figuratively, but literally, as her head barely peeked out from a huge pile of books, volumes, and scrolls. Her face was paler than a child in Ninsharria should be, and under her eyes were terrible dark circles. Children often dislike sleeping, but this child seemed to have never even heard the word "sleep" even in books.
Some noise was heard, and Khenis appeared from behind the shelving unit, with the librarian dancing beside him.
-- I asked you! Do my words mean nothing? -- said the aristocrat.
-- Listen, really, what's so wrong with a child studying one of the most useful and interesting sciences! Everyone knows that the magic of Ishanad, fire magic, and worship of Ninsharre are the noblest knowledge ever held in the mind of humanity!
-- She shouldn't be ruining her health...
-- Well, I tried to discourage her, but she has such a look. I simply couldn't kick her out.
Approaching the child, Khenis and the librarian realized that the girl was reading some kind of spell.
-- Carolyn!
-- Wait, don't disturb her! -- the librarian whispered loudly and somewhat fearfully. -- This is black magic. Interrupting a spell can be dangerous.
-- And if a ten-year-old child reads it to the end, that isn't dangerous?!
-- Maybe everything will be fine... -- the bookman said uncertainly.
At that moment, the spell ended and some substance appeared in the air, glowing dimly red. It condensed into a lump, spun around, and headed toward the child. At this instant, Khenis used his exceptional knowledge of Creation magic and materialized a large cauldron right in the air, which swallowed this strange clump with a loud "whoosh" and fell onto the stone floor of the library. The frightened girl jumped up to her father and hugged him.
-- Now, what on earth have you created?
-- I don't know... I wanted to do something unusual, but...
-- Come, we are going to have a serious talk.
-- You disappoint me, Carolyn. Do I not give you everything you need?
-- You don't want me to study Ishanad magic.
-- Yes, I don't.
-- But everyone here knows it!
-- If everyone sticks their head in an alligator's mouth, will you do it too? Besides, you are still a child, -- Khenis looked around. Having ensured no one was nearby, he continued. -- Between us, the fact that we live in Ishhegal may seem like a blessing, but in reality, it is our curse. Nanaiya is a very bad person, and she imposes foul ideals on her subjects. Rosario teaches us to be polite, to achieve our goals through cooperation with other people. Nanaiya says you should achieve everything by ignoring the interests of others. Because of her egocentric philosophy, I have already lost my son and your brother; he can no longer be called either. However, I believe it won't be that way with you; you are a good girl. Despite the fact that you hypnotize librarians.
-- No! I don't...
-- Yes you do, can't I see? But please, don't get carried away. Creation magic is much better. Once you master it perfectly, you can study water magic. Here, in hot Ninsharria, water is far more important than fire; it's simply undervalued. You have fantastic talents, Rosario helps you, you will become a great mage—only I ask, do not do something that you will later regret. There are knowledges in the world that are better left unpossessed... Oh, here we are.
They were already met by several servants. In this case, it is more correct to call them servants—many of them had hired themselves out to Khenis for pay in their time, others he had bought from slavery. All of them received not only dry rations but also a small amount of money, which made these people loyal to the family and much more diligent workers. Quite in the spirit of Rosario, excessive economy in this case would have led to nothing good.
The servants were clearly worried about something.
-- Did something happen?
-- Nanaiya's people are there... They have taken the mistress into custody, and Silus is with them.
-- What?! -- the eyes of the usually calm Khenis filled with blood; almost instantly he flew into his mansion without even breaking into a run.
-- What is happening here?
His wife and his former son, Silus, were sitting in chairs. Many guards stood nearby. Silus gestured invitingly toward an empty chair.
-- Sit down, father.
-- I am not your father. What do you want here, and why did you bring guards?
-- Just so, a rumor reached me. Allegedly, loyalty to Lady Nanaiya is lacking here. Conspiracies are being prepared... Nanaiya is immortal, but someone still wants to try to kill her. Yes? Please, take a seat.
-- What are you talking about? You have no right to be in this house, nor to accuse me of anything, let alone such nonsense.
-- Really? Oh, who do we have here? -- Silus smiled pointedly at Carolyn as she ran into the house. -- Little sister, long time no see, how are you doing? You know our parents planned a conspiracy; maybe you'll tell me? Just between us, -- Silus winked.
Carolyn wanted to answer something, but at that moment one of the windows shattered into small fragments and a dark reddish substance flew into the house. The guards tensed up.
-- Aha, I knew it! -- Silus shouted. -- This thing... It... They want to use it to kill Nanaiya! Arrest everyone, and destroy this thing!
The clump spun around the ceiling as if choosing a direction. Several fired arrows flew past it without hitting. The sight of the substance caused a small panic among the people. When it targeted Carolyn, Khenis tried to break free from the guards to run to his daughter and protect her. One of the guards, unable to handle the strong aristocrat, drew his sword and stabbed him. His wife was also soon killed as she broke through the guard with screams, moving first toward her husband, then toward her daughter, who began to be consumed by this red substance. Silus was shouting something; the guards were swearing up a storm. But soon this chaos ended and a deathly silence fell.
Silus, whose forehead was covered in perspiration, looked at the heavily breathing guards, at his father, at his mother, and at his younger sister lying unconscious on the floor. He smiled forcedly.
-- I think we have thwarted the conspiracy, -- his voice trailed off and he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his face. -- What a sh...
-- You are not their son! They died because of you! -- Carolyn screamed at her brother. He sat calmly in the chair reading a book. Outside was a calm, quite sunny day, but strangely, it wasn't too hot today.
-- Those above think otherwise, -- Silus said as casually as possible. This was difficult for him; he had always had a strained relationship with his parents—he demanded money and inheritance from them, then began to blackmail, betray... Yes, now he had made up this whole story about the conspiracy and even found quite convincing circumstantial evidence, but he hadn't wanted his parents to die. And yet his pride forced him to pretend everything was fine. Even before his sister. -- All estates of our deceased parents belong to me. And you belong to me too, because there is no one else left to look after you. Either that, or the street; choose.
-- I don't want to see you, -- the girl began to cry.
-- No one is asking what you want. And anyway, you shouldn't grieve so much. They aren't even your real parents.
-- What?
-- And you still think you're smart, do you? -- Silus laughed. -- Have you seen your ears in the mirror? How can humans have an elf child?
-- Well I just...
-- What "just"? Just go to your room and stay there for now, okay? You're bothering me.
Carolyn felt that just as she had loved her parents, at this moment, with all her heart, she hated Silus. She exerted her will and looked at him with malice. At first nothing happened, and then he suddenly fell to the floor with a scream, clutching his head. At that moment, the girl became frightened. She ran out of the room and saw two warrior-servants; one was named Libar, the other Ilkesedar.
-- You must come with me!
-- Carolyn, where are you going? -- Ilkesedar asked sternly.
-- I... I don't know... But you are coming with me!
Ilkesedar shook his head, but suddenly realized that he actually would go. All of this was contrary to logic, his will, and finally even duty—for he was not entirely a free man—but resisting was impossible. It was as if his brain were being twisted through a meat grinder. The silent Libar experienced similar feelings and obediently approached Carolyn.
-- We'll probably need money for the road... Take everything you can carry! -- For a moment the girl felt ashamed, but then she thought that essentially this was her home and Silus had no right to any of it anyway, even if he managed things here.
-- Where shall we go, Carolyn?
The girl thought.
-- To Yokheitan. I heard they are welcoming to everyone there.
-- Mostly mercenaries. But I will go wherever you say.
-- Then that's where we're going! We set out immediately! -- she concluded with a smart phrase she had heard somewhere. The crimson haze spun dissatisfiedly around the girl, but it couldn't do much: discouraging little daredevils is a talent that such creatures, called symbiotes, unfortunately do not possess.
After some time, the child and two warriors successfully, though not without adventure, reached the city of mercenaries.
Race: Darnian
Origin: Ninsharria (Ishhegal)
Characteristics
Health: 20
Accuracy (M): 3
Accuracy (R): 3
Reaction: 3
Speed : 3
Will: 22
Magic: 5
Stealth: 0
Number of attacks: 0
Skills
Ishanad
+6 spells, +1 magic, +250 energy, +2 will
+Subjugation
+Curse
+Banishment
+Black Magic
++Creation: symbiote — a creature that cannot exist without its host; it tries to become one with them. A symbiote increases the host's will and tries to save them from fatal wounds (though it dies in the process).
Servant of Rosario
+1 accuracy, +1 reaction, +1 will, +1 magic, +1 speed
+Purchase -0.1
+Mage-Scholar
++Eagle Eye. The character remembers spells used in battle. Success is determined randomly from the caster's and Rosario's servant's will.
++Research. The player can create up to two unique spells.
+++Mind Twist. The spell is specifically designed to break through mental and magical barriers, subjugating any consciousness, even creatures whose minds differ significantly from humans. Triple (?) application of the spell leads to irreversible changes in the target's head, so they obey the mage forever.
+++Tribute. The caster can, without spending an action, obtain life energy from subordinate servants as a replenishment of their own magical energy. Attempting to collect too much energy may injure servants or even lead to their death.
Energy
+Chance (will) to ignore incoming damage.
+3 spells, +1 magic, +100 energy, +1 will
+Magic Barrier
+Negation
+Black Hole
+Entropy
+Disintegration
Creation
+3 spells, +1 magic, +150 energy, +2 will
+Wisdom. Accuracy +1, reaction +1, speed +1, will +4
+Manifestation
+Restoration
Aristocrat
+Slave Owner. Ability to create up to two slaves (-2 CP for them).
+Wealth.
Perks
Affinity (magic)
Magical energy +80%, spell cost 20% lower.
This trait is present in all mages from Ishanad.
Equipment
Mage's Protective Belt. Energy regeneration + magic barrier against damage.
Red Cloak with Hood.
Money.
Potions. Perhaps for a temporary bonus to will or something like that; basically, things a mage might find useful.
Ilkesedar
Race: Human
Origin: Ninsharria (Elutan)
Skills
Iron Guardian
+ x health
+ armor proficiency
+ block (including targeted spells)
+ block chance/reaction?
+ guard — the character blocks attacks directed at a guarded target (no more than one target)
Polearm
+Skill
+4 reaction
+1 attack range
+Precise Strikes. 33% chance to paralyze opponent.
Perks
Expert (artifacts)
After a brief study of non-trivial items, the character can determine their unknown characteristics and properties.
This skill is present in all natives of Enluan, Elutan, and Shankhursang.
Equipment
Heavy Armor
Large Shield. Khenis's coat of arms is displayed on the shield. It possesses exceptional durability.
Spear
Healing Potions
Libar
Race: Human
Origin: Melhoria
Skills
Hunter
+Archery (bow)
+20 health
+3 reaction
+3 accuracy
+2 speed
+10 stealth
Assassin
+10 stealth
+1 accuracy
+3 reaction
+100/250 damage (ranged/melee) for stealth attacks.
Combat Training
+30 health
+3 reaction, +3 accuracy
+1 speed, +2 will
+Skill, additional weapon slot, additional quick slot
Perks
Horsemanship
Aimed Shot
Robust Health
Agility
Expert (traps)
Equipment
Dark Cloak and Mask. Help in hiding in the shadows.
Light Armor (if, as I understand it, combat training removes penalties)
Melhorian Bow.
Arrows
Ple-Sen
