One Year Prior To Departure

No story has a true beginning, only a point where you begin telling it. So we shall start here.

Within the illustrious nation of Aleteros Malleus lives and practices his craft. Studying the ephemeral nature of shadow. There has long been a romantic notion of things obscured, of what lies outside the eye of illumination. The answer to that is, quite a great deal as Malleus has proven over the years. This avenue of study has proven a fruitful field. Malleus has enjoyed success in his career. He's earned the respect and esteem of his colleagues and been given the opportunity to pursue projects at his leisure.

OOC: Your character is an experienced mage, successful and well established. Let's take a glimpse into what that looks like!

Writing Prompt: Describe a day in the life of Malleus, where he lives, how he starts a typical date, the people he encounters and the projects he's working on. End your post with him learning that an extra-planar expedition is being planned.

Dawn was a special time for Malleus, akin to Dusk and sacred for the most opposite of reasons. Sleep had failed him once more, perhaps a subtle rebuke for his years of abusing such diurnal fetters, and he had been awake since the false dawn and perhaps even the hour of the wolf beforehand.

Dawn was special, and sacred, and he stood upon the balcony of his room, silk robes and fine raven locks fluttering all tatterdemalion in the morning breezes as he watched the city wake. Liminal light tugged at him in much the same manner as the breeze tugged at his robe, seeking to steal his secrets or share those of others with him - the night whispers of the unrested, the confessions to the dark, and the uncomfortable deeds that had taken place since the sun had fled before the moon. It mussed his hair, wild and errant at the best of times, and threatened to pull all askew.

They think that such thinks happen in the Night so that they are hidden from prying eyes, he thought, ruefully, but bitter in th same manner as the herb with the same name, When they happen then so that those who perpetrate such may hide from themselves.

He chased such thoughts away with a long breath, feeling the waking sun's warmth start to caress his skin. Inhale. Eyes closed, lids feeling the sun, and long-fingered hands, their tips callused, clutching the balcony rail with gentleness. Pause, time enough for breath to linger, heartbeat to be heard. Exhale. Eyes open, hands released, tension banished.

Dawn was special, and sacred, and he remained there for a time.

Behind him, tousled sheets and scattered garments from the night before showed a glimpse of his other nature. Careless, restless, troubled, with one starred and bloodied mirror slowly reforming in the cold and empty room beneath his unconscious casting.


Dawn was sacred, too, because mid-morning was profane: by the time the sun had achieved half its apex, Malleus was ensconced within his least-favourite teahouse, sipping half-burnt coffee laden with milk that was a shadow from souring and wearing the face of a dowager long passed. His mind wandered, the clarity of Dawn faded in the oily obsequiousness of the merchant who had secured his services to 'find a thing, a trifling matter'. He had laughed at the time, when the matter had been presented to him through a factor he used, the coin generous but the access to materials he required more important. How he had laughed.

He forced a smile, a social shadow, concealing as much as it revealed, and nodded as the man wittered on. Surely they would reach the point soon enough. But such sacrifices were needed to bind shadowstuff into the birds he used. He was known, well-respected in the right circles, but that carried increasing risk for a man who's trade was finding things that other people wished to remain hidden - and the birds made that possible: crows, ravens, nightjars - bound with whispers of shadow to keep them unnoticed and his sight a passenger.

He forced a smile, and forced his attention back to the man's blathering

"... and that when the Duke told me of this expedition, this spellspire. And I thought to myself, there is an opportunity here Thaddeus! Oh, indeed"

Leaning in, the dowager-Malleus laughed gentleely, "What exactly were the Duke's words, dear Thaddeus. Tell me what he said of this ... expedition"

Eight Months Till Departure

Four months had passed since Malleus first heard of the Expedition. The Expedition. With a capital E. That's what it was being called. It was all the talk of Aleteros from the highest courts to the lowliest pubs. Now it was known there were other worlds and places, but this was supposedly someplace new. Someplace untouched. A place ready to have a civilized hand imprint upon it. The New World, the Promised Land, Elsewhere. Everyone had a different name for the place, but all of it meant the same thing. Opportunity.

Since the word had gotten round about the project a massive construction effort had begun spellsmithss, runic cavers and arcano-engineers had poured into the capital from every corner of the empire to lend to the efforts. Now though, there was word that screenings had begun to recruit for the Expedition itself. This was confirmed days later when a letter written on fine vellum arrived at Malleus' offices.

"Salutations,

Greetings and well met esteemed arcanist. If you are receiving this letter than it has been determined that you are amongst those who most qualified and capable in the arcane arts. No doubt you have heard of the upcoming expedition to the Unformed Plane. We are currently gathering fifteen of the finest mages of Aleteros. If you have an interest in the undertaking, please respond and make a case for your appointment of one of the fifteen positions available.

May the Hidden Be Revealed to you,
Paramount of the Tower of Mages"

Despite the flowing script and fine paper, the letter had the smell of transmutation magic to it. One letter had been written, then duplicated likely a hundred times over. You are a highly capable mage, one of the most capable in fact, but that did not mean there were many others with such fine credentials within the mageocracy. While it chafed to receive an invitation simply to apply, it was likely unavoidable given the fervor surrounding the project.

Writing Prompt: Structure your post as though you're writing a formal letter back in response. In this letter make the case for why you would be a valuable member of the expedition. Also describe the greatest practical application of magic you've undertaken in your career which earned you the esteem you now currently enjoy.

"'Felicitations'", began Malleus, his writing thin and spidery upon the parchment, the nib of his quill finely pared. Sitting quietly for a few minutes, he reflected upon the opportunity, quill laid to one side and hands steepled in thought. He was committed now, in mind if not in truth, and he needed to consider how he wished to present himself to this widely cast net.

After a time, he smiled and began to write:

'Felicitations, Paramount

Your parting words, contained within the invitation previously extended to me to consider offering my services to this expedition, found me in fine fettle: may the hidden be revealed to you. As you are no doubt aware, that is my focus! I have honed my craft, discretely and over numerous successful engagements, in the finding of lost things, hidden truths and previously persistent secrets. Such work speaks to skills in investigation, communication and the deft piecing together of theories and truth from the smallest of clues. There is, of course, much of my prior work that cannot be disclosed, but if I may provide two moderate examples.

Late last summer I was engaged by a well-known nobleman upon the western borders. He was beset with troubles within his fief, barbarians and raiders. Among the losses he had suffered was a banner important to his line. It was recovered, of course, but the method you may find interesting: I summoned and bound a shadow hawk to his signet ring, its sight to a sand table and with it he watches his realm. Its first use was to quarter his realm, and find the captains of these raiders, to recover the banner.

Ah, and the second, for I said two examples. Well, this letter was not placed upon your desk by your secretary.

May the Hidden be Revealed to you,
Malleus Murk'

Responding back, Malleus wasn't sure what sort of response to expect back. He suspected there would be letters back and forth arguing the matter, or a response back outlining precisely why Malleus was or was not an ideal candidate. What he did not expect was a letter back three weeks later that had only a few simple lines.

"Sir Malleus,

We are pleased to welcome you to the expedition of the Spellspire Elucidate.

The Paramount of the Tower of Mages

PS.

Please refrain from secreting any more objects into the Tower. It's put our Warders into quite a mood trying to determine how you accomplished it."

There were other details, logistics of where and when to arrive, people to speak to in regards to the journey. But there was time to reread that. For now the important thing that Malleus was going. That left a thousand other things to prepare.

Three Months Prior to Departure

Your place was secure. The final list of the expedition members was still being finalized. One poor soul had had a magical mishap and until he had the proper number of fingers again there was no way he could join. Another had suffered nervous breakdown as the deadline loomed closer. Those were rumors at least, the Tower of Mages was keeping the list of those who would go hush-hush. Why that would be they did not elaborate, but those were all simply details. It proved challenging even for Malleus to uncover who was on that list. The important thing was that your name was there. Wow it was only a matter of getting your affairs in order before the final departure. There was no telling how long you would be gone, but the safest estimates all stated it was likely years.

Writing Prompt: Describe your mage getting their affairs in order before setting out. What do they do with your study and home? Are there  any projects that they need to put on hiatus? How do you do so? Is everyone in their life on board with you undertaking such a great commitment?

In the corner of the room he slept in, there was a pool of shadow that Malleus watched.

It was a little deeper than the dusk required. At times its borders shifted at odds with the light. It breathed, heavily; that was an affectation, at least.

Satisfied, Malleus issued a soft whistling tune, dolorous and tonal, and watched as it stood. It topped eight feet at the shoulders, a fluid jagged man-beast with the approximation of broad shoulders and long-clawed hands. It flowed to where he stood in a blink, sniffing at his head, hound-like.

"Watch", commanded Malleus, noting the shadowed threads that remained, tying it to this chamber.

"Detain", he reinforced, measuring the bonds he had wrapped it with.

"Tell", he finished, the echo of feathers and feathered shapes the made it he hoped sufficient to find him, were it necessary, for the Shadow Plane touched everything he knew of.

Satisfied, he stepped out.

His home was an architectural anomaly, but it could be found and this sentinel should prove sufficient. His books and his notes, his contracts and the quiescence of shadow, they would remain by necessity here, hidden simply beneath the frame of the bed. He had no ties, his contracts fulfilled and his network of agents now managed by his once-apprentice, a parting gift. Lovers, he had discarded. Friends, he had few enough who saw his true face. They had been told, in much the same manner as the Paramount.

He smiled, turned the key and slipped it into a shadow behind the plant that stood by the door.

He had left no shadow behind.

Three Days Prior to Departure

The time was upon you. A year had passed in a blur. Arrangements had been made, goodbyes made. Now it was the time for looking forward. It was also the first chance to visit the Elucidate. You had seen it for months from the outside. The Spellspire stood prominently in the capital plaza, a tower a dozen stories tall with slate gray walls punctuated by a number of evenly spaced windows. It was not a pretty structure like many of the other soaring towers that made up the capital, but this building had been built for function over form.

Two great double doors made up the entrance and they stood open now. Striding through, you enter a great reception hall whose vaulted ceiling is suspended by a dozen stone pillars. There are alcoves set along the walls, each neatly labeled and judging by the shimmer inside, they're some sort of transportation apparatus. This hunch is proven correct as your guide, one of the arcano-engineers, takes you over to an alcove. "Each mage shares a floor with one other, this will be yours," she said proudly and ushered you through the transport.

In a shimmer of gold, you step out onto a receiving chamber on another floor. This room has one of the towers windows opposite the transport. There are also only two doors. The engineer takes you over to one and, procuring a great brass key, turns it in the lock and throws it open. It reveals a perfunctory room whose walls and floor are made up of flat gray stone. It seemed to be a single chamber. If there are only two doors here, where is the rest of the floor hiding? As if sensing your thoughts, the engineer speaks up. "We've folded space here. The room can be customized to meet your needs," she explains proudly. Motioning to a panel of gemstones on the walls, she manipulates one and a door appears on the far side of the room. Another and a window appears. Pressing a diamond and furniture starts to materialize. "We have a setting for every need. Now this conjured furniture will dematerialize if it leaves the tower, but within the Elucidate you'll have every comfort and tool you could require. Your personal quarters can have as many rooms as you need for personal space and study. Please, take some time to make yourself comfortable."

Writing Prompt: Take time to personalize your room within the Elucidate. Describe anything you bring.

OOC: Note, any functional items you bring, extra enchantments, materials, basically anything that might be useful, will be rendered inert by the trip, so this is all flavor. The exceptions being the follow selections below.

The Surviving Spells

OOC: As you're joining a bit later in the action, you may choose two of the following rather than one. Note, you can reflavor any of the selections to your taste preferences, the following is simply their core functionality before any augmentations.

Dark Restraints: You call up tendrils of solidified shadow, they grasp and grab and restrain one individual keeping them from moving, though they can still actions while immobilized.
New Spell: Shadow Bindings - You immobilize one target.

A Little Shadow Told Me: Consulting with the shadows you send them ahead of you, then they return. Simple minded things these scouts, but still useful. They give broken thoughts and impressions and a small glimpse into what lies ahead.
New Spell: Consult the Umbra - You consult the shadows and are told of one danger to expect in the upcoming adventure. (Special: This must be used when you declare you plan to attend an adventure. It counts as one of your spell uses for that adventure, but is usable before the rest of your spell book must be declared.)

Face Off: Secrets are often held dearly and only pried free with great effort and once taken, those who have given them up might hold grudges against the taker. It's best to offer a false face for them to remember.
New Spell: Disguise - You take on a different appearance, the spell determines this appearance at random. (Will require augmentation to be able to appear as a specific person.)

Now You See Me, Now You Don't: At times one can be caught in the spotlight, its unavoidable, but that doesn't mean that one must remain there. You have a bauble you've created that helps deflect that attention.
Enchantment: Vanish - Activating your enchantment, you disappear out of sight. It's not a teleport so much as a distraction that lets you move a short distance away without being noticed.

The Sweet Spot: Violence is inelegant and messy, but sometimes unavoidable. If one must engage in the barbarism, best to do it quickly and efficiently. That's most easily done when they don't see it coming.
Passive: Sneak Attack - When an enemy is unaware of you, your attack is much more effective, even more so if you're in close quarters. (Generally rending them unaware of you is only possible at the start of a fight or if you've used a spell that has rendered them unaware of your position.)

One Small Step for Mage Kind: Space does not work the same for shadows, distance and dimension are malleable things in the shadow realm. You are quite familiar with this and able to traverse those hidden ways.
New Spell: Shadow Step - You can step from one shadow to another. The new place must be visible to you and within a short distance.

A Sinister Shadow: The shadows almost seem to embrace you, they cling to you like devoted pets. When you stand within dim lighting you're even hard to spot than would normally be case.
Passive: Indistinct - When in dim or poor lighting you're more difficult to spot than usual.

Umbral Armoring: Shadows do not offer protection in the traditional sense that a shield or armor might, but they offer safety in their own way. With a mixture of deflection and distraction, one can find a measure of safety in shadows.
Enchantment: Umbral Embrace - You call up a shroud of shadow, it negates half the damage you take from an attack. (This does not work against damage from a Deadly Roll.)

Despite himself, Malleus nodded, impressed. He smiled politely to the engineer, waiting for her to leave before he began to experiment with the room and the possibilities it presented. After some time, he settled on a maze of twilit corridors and enshadowed chambers, most with an eclectic set of furniture as took his fancy - not for their purpose or intent, but for the shadows they cast or they way they might draw a visitor's attention. At the appropriate place within the maze he created an oubliette leading to an expansive room filled with mirrors and a four-posted bed with white silk sheets; this would be a sanctum, of sorts, and he teased forth shadowwraiths and skitterlings and other such creatures to wander the maze and watch any entering. At another place, he pulled forth a workshop, with tools and vials of shadowstuff and other such equipment as he might need. At another, a nest of spiderlings.

OOC: Given the rest of his prologue, let's take Face Off and Dark Restraints

"Dimensional translocation in ten, nine, eight," the pleasant androgenous voice chimed melodically throughout the corridors of the tower. The smell of atmosphere grew sharper as the arcane energies gathered. The gray slate stones of the tower Elucidate seemed to thrum with the growing power. Outside a sea of onlookers stood gathered, held only at a safe distance from the barriers set up around the plaza. Their cheers filled the air like the dull roar of some gargantuan beast, but inside the Spellspire there was only that soft voice and its steady count down. "Six, five four."

Inside his study Almanic sat rigidly in his armchair in front of the fire. "Silly old man, teleportation doesn't jostle," he said to himself, even as his hands gripped the arms of the chair tighter. The polished wood pipe clenched between his teeth was in danger of cracking. Staring doggedly into the dancing flames in the hearth, he tried to ignore the numbers steadily ticking down.

Two floors up Taebor had the windows of his room thrown open and was almost hanging out as he waved both arms excitedly at the crowd. Their surge of cheers at his antics only encouraging more enthusiastic waving of his arms. Dressed in glimmering white cloth that sparkled and shone, the man was impossible to miss against the gray slate walls. It was why he'd chosen it after all.

At the top of the tower the three mages ringed around the whirling glass control sphere of the tower made waves of their hands and twists of their fingers which corresponded to dozens of tiny incremental adjustments. Even in the final seconds before translocation adjustments must be made. "Nether weave stabilized," said Lyshen. "There are ripples in the arcano-sphere... but they're within acceptable parameters," advised Anders. The last member of the trio ran a hand through her silver hair, her pupil-less eyes matching the color. Her inner eye was tracing the arcane threads that ran off that orb to every corner of the Spellspire. Elucidate was a miracle of arcano-engineering. The best forged by diviners, spellsmiths, runecarvers and a dozen other fields of mysticism. All those arcane threads hummed, drawing taut with anticipation as the arcane forces gathered. She held their destination in her mind as she plucked those chords. "Sen tailen est," she murmured softly for good luck. "Our location is locked. So we step beyond the boundaries of gods and men."

"Three, two, one."

A beam of searing yellow light shot up from the Spellspire and expanded to engulf the structure. The cheering throng fell into awed silence as the radiance grew until they were forced to avert their eyes. Then as suddenly it was gone. The plaza where the two dozen story structure once stood was now empty. The twenty six souls who inhabited the tower gone along with it. Twenty six intrepid explorers who had set forth to blaze the trail so that others might follow after.

This was the expedition of the Spellspire Elucidate.

And then things went horribly wrong.

Sitting within your personal quarters, you listened as the pleasant androgynous voice counted down, then it hit zero. Some part of your braced, unsure what to expect. Would there be an explosion of noise? Would you feel yourself melt away to be reformed? Would the colors of the world invert and everything stretch like taffy? You had been told none of that would happen, but it didn't stop that moment of anticipation. In truth, a great deal of this expedition was shrouded in mystery. Information had been doled out strictly on a need to know basis. Even the full roster of mages inside the tower had not been fully released. These spots of mystery naturally generated a certain level of trepidation.

But true to the debrief, the count hit zero and... you noticed no change within your personal quarters. Outside the light coming through the windows had changed. Not disappeared entirely, but had taken on a gray quality. Going to the window you found the streets and shops of the capital replaced by a wash of gray that slowly streamed down like dirty water on glass. Surprising, even unsettling, but all within normal parameters. You'd been told that the journey would be short from your perspective. In actuality you might be in transit for months, but for the inhabitants of the Spellspire it would be a few heartbeats, then an imperceptible arrival-

Crash!

The entire world shook. Or perhaps not the whole world, but the entirety of the Spellspire. It was like the belly of a ship unexpectedly finding a rock in the open sea. The Elucidate violently heaved and threw you. The contents of your only recently composed room came along, you could hear things shattering. Glass, wood, ceramics. The contents of the room were being reduced to splinters. Unfortunately, you were part of those contents. You hit the wall and saw colors, but the damage went beyond the physical. It felt like you were being grated, metaphysically stretched, pulled and torn.

OOC: And that concludes the introduction!