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Honed to a Razor's Edge [Raithen]

Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2023 11:22 pm
by Talisman
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30 Searing, Year 123

[Closed - Raithen]

With all of the back and forth, his duties to His Radiance, Avaerys Imperator I, and the going-ons of home, there was no shortages of demands on his attention. The time spent with the Neptori learning and teaching them in turn to guide them into the light of Avaerys still occupied his time. But the more he practised Traversion, the easier it got, and he was well-becoming familiar with the Citadel that his elder brother commanded. Hilana was usually there in the evenings, and Lia and Lykos were there full time. He was a bit early for dinner, but his favourite Vastiana would likely be here and cooking. When she knew he was coming, she usually made sure the meals were just that much larger in order to help keep him sated and send him back with bundles of leftovers for him to enjoy until he was able to come back to her.

But it was a sentinel that was waiting for the Golden Avialae when he appeared at the Citadel in his usual spot. "Your Resplendence. Sentinel Phocion said you would be coming," the veiled figure bowed to Raithen before straightening. "He had this made for you." An unassuming-looking bundle wrapped in linen cloth that had been dyed a rich black and tied with a silver cord was presented to him by the Vigil. Contained within was something deceptively lighter in weight, though that might just have been his own strength that came from regular physical activity and training. Either that, or it was simply perfectly balanced and enhanced through whatever arcane techniques were required to make it so.

Upon opening it, he would find that the bundle was composed of a dagger that was contained within a sheath. The sheath was cut from hand-tooled leather and inlaid with gold and copper in a kaleidoscopic pattern. Black and silver may have been the Phaedryn colours in homage to Midnight's Mother, but Raithen served Avaerys personally. He was His. As such, the sheath reflected that. The hilt of the blade was comfortable, easy to grasp and conforming to the hand. It was embellished enough to be pleasing to the eye without being overdone. The blade, once pulled free, made it clear that this knife was no mundane weapon. Copper and brass, imitating the desert themes of his homeland, climbed up the blade that held a number of gently-glowing blue stones in its middle before ending in a double-edged tip that a practised eye told him was sharp enough, and fine enough, to split a hair... and anything else he desired.

"You can trap ghosts in it, and use what energy they have to power the blade," the Sentinel told him. Despite the wicked edges to it, it could be sheathed or drawn swiftly and smoothly - the blade or sheath itself was surely enchanted to make it so, but his family never half-assed anything. "That, in turn, can assist your own aetheric reserves by activating it in the presence of a ghost." Should he wish it, he could drain the contained spirit dry and use their power for his own... either once, or repeatedly, depending on how he went about it. "Have you any questions?"

 ! Message from: Talisman
This thread is with regards to the Ransera Birthday Redemption request. Thank you for your patience!

Re: Honed to a Razor's Edge [Raithen]

Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2023 3:19 pm
by Raithen
Being stopped by a Sentinel was not something that most people could view in a neutral light, but for Raithen, it was. The guardians under Phocion's control were not often used as couriers or messengers, and when they were it was for matters too important to be carried out by a servi. Thus he took the matter seriously, stopping immediately and bowing his head in respect. The Dux's rank might be higher than the Sentinel, almost certainly was, but while they wore the uniform they spoke with the authority of the Umbrian Crown and he would show deference.

While he had spoken to his brother about the situations that had been troubling him and had believed his elder to be keeping an eye on them, as he did with everything else, he had not expected specific aid unless he had asked for it. Growing up in his House had taught him that nearly anything was available to him upon request but he was required to make the requests for anything outside that which was automatically provided. It wasn't something he resented, in fact, quite the opposite. It was a privilege to be given and asking was simply the respect that that privilege was due.

Times were dangerous, in many ways. They always had been, but they were far more so now, with the thrones split and gods returning. Raithen knew he was on the correct side of both, but that did not render him safe in any way.

Taking the small bundle he smiled briefly over the wrappings, which would have made the giver of the gift obvious even if Raithen hadn't been told, before carefully removing them. However safe he was in the Citadel, anything could be a trap and he did not have the runes that would have allowed him to sense an aetheric one. Even lacking Semblance, he had been raised from birth around magical devices and he could tell one on sight, even if not what, specifically, one might do. The knife that he saw when the cloth came open was clearly of the highest quality in both craftsmanship and augmentation.

As he examined the blade it was clear that it had been designed by one who knew him, as Phocion did, or perhaps their mother. It could be wielded by hand, or thrown, as he was wont to do. Even with his mastery of Kinetics he still tended to throw a blade by hand before taking control of its flight with his aether. It deserved a better master of blade work than Raithen was, but it could be used as a motivation to become better.

The explanation of what it was capable of, aside from being exceptional in itself, raised a brow on him. All of Solunarium was unappreciative of the undead, and ghosts were much harder to deal with than those creatures that maintained some form of mortal flesh. It was an apt gift, for Raithen himself, for their nation, for their family.

"No, Vigil." He answered, belatedly but not enough so that it seemed he had been ignoring them, only that he had been distracted by the blade. "I thank you, for your service." 'In this, and all things' went without saying. He gave another moderate bow as affection for his brother bloomed in his chest. Going to Phocion with any sort of sentiment would have been the height of inappropriate responses but Raithen would consider how best he might show his gratitude.

Re: Honed to a Razor's Edge [Raithen]

Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2024 9:54 pm
by Talisman
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The Sentinel nodded at Raithen's acceptance of the blade. If he wanted more information, he could doubtless find it. There was a written note tucked in the wrapping between the leather sheath and the fabric that had bound it with the finer details of how to use it to its fullest potential. The scroll was tucked inside the wrapping, but when he was ready, he would likely find it. By taking it and focusing on it, he had activated the latent attunement of the blade that was already enchanted within it. It had been made for the Avialae, and it would come alive for him. For just about anyone else, it was a very elegant, well-made blade that would never go dull, no matter what kind of abuse it was put through.

Well-balanced, the weight would allow him to utilize it however he saw fit, and while there was a considerable lack of undead creatures, there was a number of ghosts that lingered around Solunarium, as they weren't seen as quite the problem the other types were. Until, of course, they started to disrupt things or try to assert themselves in ways they had no business doing. They had died, and it was the time for the next generations to continue on. To take their turn to make progress. To advance. To put forth their own goals and chase their dreams, and if they had the wherewithal, bring them to fruition.

And Raithen? Well, the blade might just help him achieve the dreams of his dearly departed friend.

With Souleater in hand, he would find that the ghosts he could normally sense on the aether flux would be plainly visible to his eye - all of them. And he could certainly get some practice in using it if he so desired.


Re: Honed to a Razor's Edge [Raithen]

Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2024 9:58 pm
by Talisman
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Review

Name: Raithen

XP: 5 Points, No Magic
Injuries/Ailments: None
Loot: Artifact: Souleater/Edaxan

Notes: Enjoy!

 ! Message from: Talisman
Name: Souleater (Solunarian: Edaxan)
Owner: Raithen
Attunement: Yes
Purchased: Gifted
Enchantment: Necromancy
Skill: Weapon: Blades, any Arcana
Charges: 10

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Description: Souleater is a perfectly balanced, double-edged dagger with a handle of brass and copper. No matter what it is used against, it will never go dull or lose its edge. It is inlaid with five blue stones that glow a soft, eerie blue. When the blade is active, it emits a pale glow. It was crafted to activate to Raithen’s aura.

Sight/Comperio: (Passive)
When the blade is drawn, the wielder can see any and all ghosts within normal eyesight. If they are possessing someone, it shows the outline within their host. If they are possessing an object, their outline is within or surrounding the object.

Sigillum: (2 Charges)
When the word “Sigillum” is uttered with intention, Souleater activates and acts as a vacuum, drawing in up to five ghosts that are in a 20-ft radius around the blade. The ghost’s ability for materialization gives a slight bonus to the resistance of sigillum, but the closer they are, the more effective the trap. Repeated use of sigillum strains resistant ghosts by half each time it is used. Master materialization is enough to fully resist once, but if sigillum is used repeatedly, the ghost’s ability to withstand it diminishes significantly. The ghost(s) that is successfully trapped will find themselves imprisoned within the blade. They may not be summoned to be freed. They are not able to haunt it. Their abilities are nullified. Up to 10 ghosts may be trapped within the blade at any given time. If a ghost is possessing someone, sigillum will be effective every time if it is stabbed into the host to the hilt, regardless of the ghost’s skill in possession.

Libero: (1 Charge)
When the word “Libero” is uttered with intention, Souleater releases all ghosts that have not been devoured and converted to power for the blade’s owner. They cannot select which ghosts to hold back; all are released from the confines of the blade.

Debilito: (3 Charges)
When the word “Debilito” is said with intention, the blade will convert the energy of the trapped ghosts into usable aether for the wielder of the blade. The amount of energy gained from this is half of the combined energy of the trapped ghosts. They can recover from this, but it takes a period of 24 hours. This boost will last for approximately 4 hours before fading or until the user expends the surplus aether. If used repeatedly, debilito is subject to diminishing returns as only half of the energy is drawn off each time.

Inminuo: (3 Charges)
When “Inminuo” is said with intention, ghosts within a fifteen-foot radius around the blade will find their abilities temporarily disrupted. The closer to the blade the ghost is, the stronger the effect it will have on them. The strength of the ghost’s skill currently in play matters. If no skills are in active use (possession/materialization/haunting), then one will falter at random. For example, a ghost that is actively haunting an object would be affected as follows:
Novice: They will be kicked out of what they are haunting, and their haunting ability locked for a period of four hours.
Apprentice: They will be booted out of what they are haunting, and their haunting ability locked for a period of one hour.
Journeyman: While not removed from the object, the entire haunting effect is shattered. They are ability locked for a period of one hour.
Expert: While not removed from the object, the haunting effect will falter and diminish by half. They will experience great difficulty repairing and restoring it for a period of one hour.
Master: While not removed from the object, the haunting effect will falter and diminish by a quarter. It will take five to ten minutes for the effect to be fully restored depending on the complexity of the haunt.

Exuro: (5 Charges)
When the word “Exuro” is said with intention, all ghosts trapped within the blade are fully converted to aether, and in the process, irretrievably destroyed and unable to return to the mortal plane. This effect will last until the surplus aether is used up, or for a period of 24 hours, whichever happens first. The soul can then go through the process of reincarnation.