The two women stand across from each other at an alter in the woods. One a strange looking half-elven She is tall and stocky. She has bright red hair with a silver stripe going down the middle. Her clothing is Mulhorandian (Egyptian) in nature. She has olive skin and of her two eyes one is emerald green. The other is wolf like and yellow. The other is a gold elven with tannish gold skin. Her hair is black with new grey strands muddling the color a reaction from the horrible testing the other put her through to become her apprentice. She stands nearly as tall as a typical human at 5ft 8inches and her eyes are a cast of soft copper hue. It is the half-elf Fawn the archmage that speaks first, “First things first. As my apprentice you will be required to teach my beginners classes when I am needed elsewhere. I don’t care how you dress just that you can teach them. If you travel with me I will tell you exactly how to dress as with the customs of the realms we visit. I’ll even provide clothing if necessary. You have that so far?” “Yes, Mistress.” “That’s another thing. Unless we are around others. No titles. They just bore me. If you’re interested in titles go, see my in-laws in Kenshinville. They’re all about their titles.” “Then what shall I call you?” “Come on Luciellia. You’re not in Evermeet anymore. Just call me Fawn.” The gold elf nods to her, “What will you teach me the first year? Enchantment? “No I am going to teach you other techniques to use magic. There are hundreds of worlds out there. I will be teaching you these techniques starting today.” “I don’t understand. Why would you teach me something like that?” “Because, Luciellia they may keep you alive someday. When your spells are used up how will you be able to tap once again with the weave to use magic?” “You can’t” “your only half-right. Yes, you can’t unless you have another means to tap into it. A means not of Toril. This saved my life once for I had no spells yet was able to tap into the weave using the techniques of Athas and combine it with the Thu’um of a world called Nirn using the words of dragon power from what I learned on the Pillar of Tauros.” Luciellia just nods stupefied, “ok.” Fawn lifts up two potted plants, “Come with me. First I want to teach you the magic techniques not to use on Toril. The gods of this world frown upon the magic of Athas. That is because it is destructive magic. I will teach you this technique but only use it in life and death circumstances as I once did. This magic poisons the very ground it is performed on.” They go to the middle of the field. Fawn sets the plants down, “Now get in front of one of the plants, Good. Now do watch.” She leans down and touches the plant in front of her. She then casts a shield spell. As Luciellia watches the magic build around Fawn she sees the plant shrivel and die away to ash. Fawn then casts using no components. The components of Athasian magic surround you. It is the very plants of the world. That is why it is so dangerous. Athas has become a desert waste because of the mages and sorcerers using this technique. Now It is your turn.” It takes Luciellia most of the day to accomplish the task but she does. She uses the techniques of another world to cast her magic. Somehow she is saddened by the whole ordeal, “Fawn this magic. It seems unnatural?” “To you it does and I must agree, but put that same question to an Athasian and you may get a different answer. You are killing living creatures to use magic. It not good magic but it can be useful if your life is in danger otherwise stay away from it. “I will teach you no more of this magic. You have the basic idea of it and the technique. “For the next few months I will teach you the next most dangerous type of magic. It is called Thedasarian blood magic. Two weeks later Luciellia and Fawn meet again at the altar. Fawn speaks, “You’ve done well in class remember that these are new students they are rowdy and uncaring for the most part. You need to find a way to keep control. Randyl entertains them. I as you know will pick the worst student and enchant them. That usually calms things down.” Luciellia nods, “I’ve had some trouble.” “You’ll get used to it. Now magic we can actually practice together for several months. The Magic of Thedas. There are several problems with both kinds of Thedasarian magic. First all Thedas techniques attract demons. Blood magic in particular. Another and more important thing. If you somehow ever find yourself on this world. Do not let anyone know you’re a mage. Find some common dresses where them and find a way off the damned world.” “Why mistress……. I mean Fawn?” Fawn laughs at her apparent misstep, “It’s ok Luciellia. You’re testing is over. You are a graduate. You need to lighten up. Ok you see on Thedas the authorities do not like mages. If they catch you they will most likely drill a hole in your forehead and turn you into an imbecile. That is why you should get off the world as quickly as possible.” Luciellia looks to Fawn in horror, “Why would they do that!” Because demons there constantly harass mages trying to possess them. You think Toril has a problem with possession. It is nothing compared to the problem in Thedas. Now in Thedasarian blood magic you do not use the weave at all. You use the magic in your own blood to draw energy for the magic.” Fawn takes out a knife and cuts a deep cut in her hand. Dropping the knife, she molds the blood with her other. It doesn’t drip on the ground. Instead it turns itself into a fine mist surrounding her body. She molds the blood until it’s a perfect sphere when it does the blood disappears into a shield. Fawn looks at her and says, “I must warn you never to practice this magic with me here. You will attract demons to you. If one possesses you I will have to dispel it. Understand?” Luciellia wide eyed confirms, “I never want to go through what you put me through again unless I have too dispel one, myself. Yes, stop me before it happens.” “Good.” That day Luciellia cannot make it work and leaves the field with nothing except cuts all over her hands. It takes three days just to perform a cantrip, and another month to use her own blood to throw up a shield but when she accomplishes it she is elated. The next week Fawn brings with her two staves, “These are Thedasarian staves. They are different and the main weapon of a mage from Thedas.” Luciellia looks at them, “What do they do?” Fawn gives one to her then walks over to the targets she has set up, “These staves use the latent magical energy within your own body to make powerful bolts like magic missile. As the magic builds within the stave you can use a second attack. I will show you.” Fawn sets her feet. Within five seconds she hits three targets with a single bolt of energy from the staff. She then spins the staff and drives the back end into the ground there is a sonic boom. Luciellia goes flying back landing on her butt a few feet away. Fawn laughs, “Now it’s your turn.” For the next few months Luciellia learns the techniques of tradition Thedasarian magic until Fawn thinks she fully understands. When that part of her training is complete Fawn ceases teaching her for a month so that she may absorb it. When they come back Fawn has something completely different for her in mind. Luciellia walks out on the field after a long rest. Fawn is there. Luciellia smiles and comically asks, “What will you teach me this time my mistress.” Fawn shows a rare smile, “My favorite form of magic. It is called Nirnian magic. On Nirn some of the best of spells are created and they have dragon words of power called the Thu’um. Basically when dragons fight on this world they try to outlecture one another. But do not doubt these words of power have real effect. But first traditional Nirnian magic. For the Thu’um will take you the rest of the year to learn and even then a pitiful number of words. Now make a protective circle.” Luciellia draws out a protective circle while Fawn gets ready to cast her spell. When Luciellia does it to her satisfaction Fawn summons what Luciellia thinks is a fire elemental in the shape of a beautiful woman, “The elemental is beautiful, Fawn.” Fawn smiles wryly, “This isn’t an elemental. This is a demon from the abysmal plane of oblivion. It acts for all intents and purposes like an elemental but it is still a demon. Remember that. For the next few months I will teach you conjuration and illusion spells of Nirn. For some unknown reason the Nirnians call enchantments, illusions. Then for the last of your schooling this year we will study the Thu’um hopefully you will be able to call a few of the words of power.” For the rest of the year Luciellia toils with the alien magic. She fails often. Fawn gets somewhat disillusioned by her progress yet slowly she advances. On the last day of schooling Fawn finds her practicing at one end of the field. “Still have not gotten it?” Luciellia shrugs, “If I could actually speak dragon it would go easier.” “Yes but only certain words have power and I have only taught you three to be able to flee things that are too strong for you to defeat. Now what are the words?” Luciellia answers her, “Wuld, Whirlwind. Nah, Fury. Kest, Tempest.” “And I thought you didn’t speak dragon.” Luciellia smiles. “You have to feel it deep within your soul. Bring the magic out from within you.” Luciellia plants her feet, “Wuld Nah Kest!” Nothing happens. Fawn sighs and repeats it, “WULD NAH KEST!” Her body flies like a sling bullet completely across the field. She turns around and waves Luciellia to her. Luciellia starts to walk. Fawn waves her hands at her. Points to her than to a spot beside her. She sets her feet again, “WULD NAH KEST!” Nothing happens again. Fawn motions her to continue. Luciellia tries and tries. Late in the evening she gets frustrated. In anger she tries it again the magic welling up in her unnoticed she screams out, “WULD NAH KEST!” Her body is thrown by the magical energy of the Thu’um she hits a tree face first knocking herself out. When she wakes up Fawn helps her up. The starts are out. Selune shows a quarter of her face. They move to the alter. Fawn brings out two glasses and a bottle. She sets them on the Altar and pours whiskey into both. She then pours another round upon the altar, “One for your goddess. Congratulations on making it the first year of your apprentice.” “Isn’t that irreverent?” Fawn frowns, “I think I’ve given enough to this altar already.” “What really happened?” Fawn winces, “That is between me and Selune, miss Sithmore. Please do not pry. I like you. I would hate it if you were expelled.” Luciellia casts her eyes down, “My apologies, mistress.” “It is of no consequence to you. Drink up and enjoy your victory with me; Not as teacher and student. But as friends.” They drink the night away and come back sloshed. Shaia isn’t happy.

Maiden of Stone Maiden of Stone, you cried out to be free, From shackles unmoving, you were given a key. Freedom was granted, with Animate spell fleeting, You fought to remain, Permanency completing. Remember well then, who it was that so wanted, To clip your wings thus and leave you so haunted. Two bards did walk after the path you once did, Proud and unhearing of your silent voice bid. For one it was gold, the other amusement, With Dispels at the ready, under the moon so lucent. Even then did you fight to remain amongst the living, We silenced you to stone, an act unforgiving. We hid you away within darkness void locked, Back to the city without care, quietly we stalked. Intending to profit, to continue the game, One bard named Mashal, the other with no name. For you were but a statue, brought to life on a whim, I did not think to ponder, on the decisions made grim. Too focused on success, for the next verbal attack, I failed to notice the sins crawling down my own back. Maiden of Stone, we come before you today, With scrolls familiar, in hopes that you'll stay. Carve it into your heart, remember it forever, How these two bards wronged you and did so in error. Be freed from your prison, walk forth and decide, The choices you'll make, and not out of pride. Be true to your soul, your new life has begun, Keep your gaze steady, take a step and run.

Yes, this seemed to have worked! Thank you RM and DrD for the tip!

Gather round for the tale of Jonni the Brave Fought by himself, put undead in the grave. Sought out mithral and platinum ore. Now his legend begins to soar. Jonni the Mithral Miner He's handsome and strong and sweet Jonni the Mithral Miner Beat them all, by himself, ain't that neat