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Kylere
The Mage Slayer
"Son, stay away from a man who carries no weapons",
My father used to say to me. I, being a bright lad, followed his
advice.
A few nights ago while wandering the lands, I came upon just
such a man, however since he was but a neophyte, I felt no fear
and approached him.
"Hail, and well met," I cried.
"Hi," came his inarticulate reply.
We then began to converse, I biting my tongue about his odd
speech.
He spoke of his powers of magic, and his mighty slaying of
many deer and sheep with his wondrous abilities. Needless to say
I was not impressed, for any who brag of slaying animals for
"practice" are obviously not worthy of being a
companion, much less a foe. I was interested in his tales of
magic, for but one reason, I observed him make a few gestures and
chant a few words, and go from a broken and battered wreck to a
very healthy young child. This intrigued me, for in the course of
my adventures I have received many grievous wounds, and have
indeed almost faced death. I offered to escort and protect him in
exchange for the secret to this power. He readily agreed even
though he insisted I could merely see it on the "World Wide
Web" (I would truly enjoy a web of giant spiders that large,
but I dismissed his talk as he was obviously confused.
I escorted him to the town of Vesper, and at his insistance began
a course of rather extensive study in the field of magery, after
spending many hours and many stones of gold. I then spoke the
chant I had seen him perform, to no avail. I grew angered and
would have struck him down on the spot, however any wise man,
fears the wrath Lord British's homocidal guards. He spoke up and
said that I must gain a spell book and inscribe the spell for it
to work. being short on gold, I insisted that he hand over his,
for me to use.
He then offered to give me an excess spellbook that had the
ability to both heal and clad myself in a magical shield that
would cause damage to any attacking me. This seemed a good thing,
and all a true warrior would desire. After examining the book, I
attempted to heal myself, once again I failed it seems that I
needed a "reagent". Asking the young one, what that
might be he explained that reagents may be found in the wild (I
indeed had noticed them but knowing not their usefulness, I had
disregarded them) and purchased from a mage. Realizing that this
system was a better con than anything I had previously thought
of, I stilled my impatient nature.
After hearing the cries of lesser beings, who were attempting
to sell partially complete spell books or even full ones, I hit
upon a new venture. I began purchasing blank spell books, and
offering them as full books for 100 gold each, within 2 hours I
had gained over 1500 gold. I heard many complaints, but once the
gold was in my pouch, they were no concern of mine. Since the
town of Vesper had become decidely colder than it's northern
clime dictated, I banked my riches, and purchased a few of the
reagents I might need in the future.
Wandering about for a while (and dispatching one dastardly
knave who followed me into the lawless woods, complaining that
his book was empty) I headed to the city of Cove, eager to earn
some of the orcish gold I had heard so much about. I entered the
town of Cove, and immediately became acquainted with a Mage, who
was offering ruinous sums of gold for any reagents, I inquired
what was making him so willing to part with so much gold. He
informed me he was desperate, for he had no reagents left to him,
and he dared not venture out, without his spells for protection.
Thinking quickly, I let him know that I desired to travel to
Britain, and desired a companion. Convincing him that we as a
team would not attract as many attacks, and that I would pay him
100 gold now and 100 gold when we arrived in Britian. He rapidly
agreed and we set off.
Laughing inside, I waited until we had traveled far away from
the guards, and I then slew his dishonorable soul. It seems a man
with nothing in his hands, and nothing in his pack, is simply a
target. I then used my new skills, to repair the scratch I had
earned on my cheek, and walking off into the night, I gained joy
at the thought of a simple journeyman slaying a High and Mighty
Adept Mage.
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Stratics Central
