SataiRolePlayingGuy

I plan to write too, platinum isn’t stopping me. But have to wait for the weekend. Tomorrow being my last day of work before a long break, which means work keeping me busy until then.

Pelintira was a little surprised at Mao's discomfort. She would not probably be uncomfortable with everything Alenia would be taught, but there might be other things that would be difficult for her. She was sure both could handle it. "Yes, value it. Take care of it. It may be without a soul, appear almost like a doll. But there is nothing wrong with treating it well...your connection to it may be stronger than you think. Consider this another lesson, though you won't understand what I mean immediately." She did not intend to elaborate at the moment. Alenia would figure out what she meant later. It might become a shock, but perhaps it would please her in time. It was something Pelintira wanted to do more research into as well.

The wound was simple enough to deal with. But, getting a sense of what Alenia was thinking Pelintira left it up to her. “Living or not, healing magic would seal the wound. If you wish to do so, it is something else you can practice on the body.” It was an option, but if Alenia wished to leave it there, a reminder of what she did, that was another option. It would be something that would have to be cleaned more often, but it was up to her apprentice. The girl’s body belonged to her now. For the most part, it was up to her how to treat it. There was the unspoken point she made. The body could be used as a safe dummy to practice healing magic. Hurt it, then heal it. But again, it was up to Alenia if she chose to do that or not.

"Yes it will need cleaning from time to time, the first being soon." Pelintira observed, watching the body while considering the other questions. "I would recommend Alenia taking it to her room, leaving it in a chair or such, while she sleeps. Though that might take some getting used to." That was her recommendation. She was not going to force Alenia to do it though. If she was uncomfortable with it, there were plenty of other isolated rooms, such as this, they could hide it in. "Of course it is best to keep it out of sight of the other apprentices. Just as Pelintira kept her knowledge of such magic secret from most, it was best for Alenia to do the same as well. Most of the others should be kept unaware of it. She could see Mao wanted to be useful. Mao was free of course to wander off and do what she wished. Her presence at the moment was welcome enough, but not required. "You and Alenia can discuss the cleaning of the body. When and who is involved. If you wish, you can can clean the altar. Should be faster if you do it now, before it dries too much." It was a suggestion, not an order. If Mao had a desire to helpful, have something to do, Pelintira would make some suggestions.

Marry for the platinum partnership.

There were more options they could use this body for eventually, but one thing at a time. For now there was no danger, it was just a puppet, only capable of moving the ways Alenia wished. “The spell will not fade on its own. The body is yours to do what you wish with it. Unless you choose to break the spell, or another mage does. The body will not decay, as long as the spell remains in effect. You are free to do with it, whatever you wish. Though keep the spell in place, eventually we will use it for other lessons. For now, work some more on controlling it. In time you will be able to move it naturally, as it was part of your own body. That will take some time though. Take your time. Basic movements at first, then more complicated ones.” This was not going to be a one day process, though she was pleased with the progress made so far. Further process would be slow, a day by day process.

Pelintira let Mao do her thing with the soul, though what was coming up had a chance of complicating that. Would it remain completely hers? It was time for the lesson now though. "The blood did not give you any particular power, just makes this exact spell easier. What it gave you is a connection to the body. Feel it in you. She has become one with you in a sense. Necromancy is what you learn today. Feel your new connection to the body. Use it to make the body your puppet. Start simple. Form the link between you and the body, cause it to stand up. Walk around. It will be clumsy at first. The blood will increase your control over it, but it will still take practice. Eventually you will be strong enough to do it easily enough, without the help...though there is no harm if you develop a taste for blood." Alenia would make the body her tool, weapon, whatever she wished. They could have used someone already dead, but a fresh body was better. Had the blood to make it easier, and would be stronger and useful than an already dead body or skeleton. This was Alenia's first step though, a safer and simple introduction to dark magic.

The girl watched with fear, becoming more aware of her surroundings, what was about to happen. She was unable to say anything though, simply watching until the knife plunged in, her body went limp. With a gesture from Pelintira, the chains binding the body came undone. She walked over to the body, pulled the cloth away, revealing a cup in her other hand. She placed it against the body, let it fill with the stream of blood coming out of the body. "...This part is completely optional..." She casually observed as she waited until it was filled. Once it was she lifted it and offered it to Alenia. "The magic I intend to teach you now, will be easier if you drink the girl's blood. Once you have more practice and skill, it will not be necessary. For now though, I would recommend you drink it all. But we can try without it, if that is still too much for you." Alenia had not prepared herself or expected this. Pelintira could see it go either way.

A month of course was nothing to an elf. Pelintira barely paid attention to the time as it past, focused on her own studies, gradual practice in everything. Constantly learning, getting stronger, even if only in subtle ways. She was pleased to the apprentice return. She appeared to be ready. But they would see. She stood up, with a nod, stepped over to Alenia. The circle took them back to the room. ”I put the girl into a sleep after the two of you left. Time to wake her up.” She put her finger on the forehead again, breaking the spell, waking the girl. She was still a little out of it, not quite aware of where she still was. Pelintira grabbed the knife again, and the mysterious cloth covered object. She handed Alenia the knife. Placed her hand on the apprentice’s shoulder. “Take your time to prepare yourself. But like I said, just plunge the knife into her chest. It will be over for her quick, she will not suffer.” She was not beyond using pain to punish or teach, but there was a time and place for it, the girl on the alter did not need to suffer.

Pelintira and Mao of course were not completely alone. Throughout the grounds of the fortress there were other apprentices, and several present to support both herself and the apprentices. Though the other apprentices were unlikely to follow this path, more interested in safer magic. She had been doing this for a long time. Alenia was the first with the potential to learn that side of her magic. ”You can try to spend time with her, if you wish.” She told Mao. There was no harm with Alenia and Mao talking, if they wished. The important thing was Alenia had time to think on her own, separate from her. An independent study of herself. How badly did she want to follow the footsteps of her ancient teacher? Did such magic tempt her? She was sure Alenia would eventually return, the only question how far she would be willing to go. “Do not feel bad or blame yourself for what happened. She is a strong girl. Once the shock fades, she will understand. Though we will see if she is still willing to learn such magic.”

“I am old. I remember the old ways. I was once the emperor’s mage.” Pelintira repeated things she already said. They were an answer on their own, but she elaborated. “The first invasion. The war with Vanorians. It was brutal. Everyone who lived through those days probably killed at some point. We won. The first and still only ones to do so. But it was not easy.” It was a brutal war for both sides, neither wanting to give up. But a stalemate was reached, which was a victory in a sense for the elves. They remained unconquered. That was how it started. Unrelated, but it made what came after easy. “How many have died at my hands…?” She was not bothered by the question. But between the war and her later work, and after living so long, it was not easy to answer. “Many. But never for fun or no reason. There is always a purpose. You need to harden yourself and gain power to follow my path. Such beings can not be controlled, but they will treat someone like me with a degree of respect, they would not show others. The gods and higher beings, anyway. Demons can be temporarily bound and controlled when you are strong enough, and know the right spells. To put it simply though, I got here between thousands of years of study and refusing to accept any taboo over my studies. To explore any magic I could find, no matter how dark, or the cost. I was strong enough at that point to do so.” Strictly speaking death was not required for what she had planned on teaching Alenia, but it was the best way to teach that spell and test her readiness. “But Mao is probably right. You could use a little rest. To think about your future.” Alenia would have another chance. But after her reaction, it was best to wait a little. Let her think about everything she had learned, what she really wanted. Was she willing to cross the line?

Reference to a few challenges back, when Aura was the only one who wrote, getting all the prizes as a result. Though Isabella changed the prize system with the last one, so I was only going to get the first place prize and would not get the complete experience either way.

Where was this going to go? Anya being who she was, it was hard to know. Aileen would give her what she wanted, all her fantasies, no matter what they were. On the surface it would perhaps be much darker than it was. But she would just be treating Anya how she wanted to be treated. It was not going to be a conventional relationship, that was for sure. “…You want it rough? Beg for it, the sort of things you want me to do to you…maybe you will get some of it soon…”. She knew the basics of what Anya fantasized about. But she wanted to hear it in Anya’s own words. Details of some things she wanted most. Exactly how rough should Aileen be her? How forceful? If it was what Anya wanted, Aileen would give it to her.

Even the strongest empires had to deal monsters on the borders. The army could not take care of all of it either, especially when the army seemed to on a crusade to conquer the world. All that really meant was there were those who were paid to hunt and kill them. Some did it for the money, some for the challenge, others because they had a grudge against monsters for one reason or another. Lunnur was one such man, who had taken up the job. He was the third son of a minor noble. Technically nobility, but with little chance of inheriting anything. He could have joined the army, but he thought his sword would be more useful against non-human threats, lingering on the frontiers. He had just woken up from the bed in the inn he was staying at. Waiting for his sometimes partner in the job. A rare case of a woman who had chosen to fight. A woman who had grown up fast. He did not a lot about her, but apparently had her family killed by monsters, leaving her all alone. He could not blame her for wanting to kill them. Was happy to help. He certainly enjoyed watching her, fighting and in other cases. He had not so far made a move on her, maybe that would be another time. It was something to consider another night when they were back in town. Nice as would be to do in camp at night, it was too risky to do around monster territiory. Could not let their guard down, or give them ideas. Many monsters would be just as eager to have their way with a woman like her. You occasionally heard stories of raiding monsters having their way with any human woman they could. Though that was rare in the empire and tended to only happen in border villages, which harsh response to the monsters involved. Once she was up, they would figure out their plan for the next day or days. Choose a destination and monsters they hoped to hunt. There was some randomness involved though. Often you just hunted what you ran into.

Pelintira glanced at the girl still chained up on the altar. "You will have to wait for your moment of destiny." She put a finger on the girl's forehead and she fell into a deep sleep. Deep enough to not need food or water while she slept. Closer to suspended animation. She put the knife and other tools away. She was sure Alenia would come to her senses eventually. But she did not know how long it would take. They were both immortal though, and she had already lived a very long time. She could be very patient. But it was time for a lecture. One done out of care. It did not take long for her to reappear. "Let me be clear, I am not disappointed in you. I gave you the opportunity for what you asked for. To learn everything I know. You still have the opportunity. But now you have some idea of the costs involved. Those lessons will only come when you are ready for them. Such magic involves much you consider distasteful, very dangerous as well. You will encounter many power beings. Demons, perhaps gods, or things even I would find to difficult to name. Worlds you can't imagine. You are young, inexperienced, there is no shame not being ready yet." She returned to her books, would let Alenia try to comfort herself Mao. The girl was free to speak to her about what she just said, or other things, as well.

Pelintira let Mao try to comfort Alenia as she looked over the girl. Young long brown hair, in a simple peasant’s dress. She helplessly struggled against the chains. “What is this this?! Where am I?!” Then then Elf’s face stood over her, an icy fear filled girl’s heart. “…No…no…not you…”. She had never seen the ancient witch, but legends and rumors of terror had spread about her throughout the region. The girl was certain where she was now and terrified of her fate. “…Relax, young one…”. Pelintira coldly comforted her. “You should feel honored. You have been chosen to help unlock the secrets of the universe.” She walked back over to the other two. Set a knife on the ground, in front of Alenia. “You told me, you did not care if learning from me, ‘turned you evil’, as you put it. This girl is not to be killed just because we can, or fun. This act is not meant to give you any power directly. It is a test. To see if you have the stomach to study dark magic. And a tool to teach you a spell or two after it is over. I will not rush you though. I know this will be very difficult for you. Take as much time as you need, when you are ready, plunge that knife into her heart.” She fiddled, almost playfully with an object in her other hand, covered by a cloth, hidden for now. “Just remember. You are about to explore a world you can’t imagine. With magic like this…who knows what will happen?” Pelintira did have a plan here of course. But she was not going to tell her new apprentice what was coming. First she had to decide, was she serious enough about what she said before? Could Alenia do what was necessary to learn her mistresses darkest secrets, share a power no apprentice had yet?

You can bring the girl back and have Mao chain her up to the alter.

Pelintira kept smiling at the young elf. “Looks like Mao already went to get one.” She put a had on Alenia’s shoulder. “You already opened the door. Don’t be scared. There are many opportunities here.” They were going to start with a big step, one Alenia might have felt unprepared for. But if she wanted to explore dark magic, she needed to develop a stomach for things she might find distasteful. “Besides, you might make a…friend out of this.” There were many options here. Magic that could be used from this starting point. “Come now”. She took her apprentice’s hand and a magic circle appeared below them. With a flash they were in a room Alenia had never seen before. Dark stone, with dim glowing red runes in the wall. In the center, an altar, surrounded by a currently dark circle, with chains at the side of the altar. “This is where the young girl shall go, when Mao returns. Where you will soon learn your first lesson of a new sort of magic.”

Working on my reply. I'll play the 'virgin sacrifice', Mao brings back. I have some ideas for where this is going that should be fun.

“You are still innocent. Like I said, don’t think of it as evil. Though others might call you that if they learn about it.” Pelintira calmly corrected her apprentice. “Do not expect to grow near my power anytime soon though. You cannot catch up to thousands of years of study and practice quickly.” She turned to Mao. “She simply wanted to learn something new after all. The basics should not harm her, especially with my presence. Though I wonder if she would be willing to get her hands bloody already? Maybe you should find a virgin sacrifice for Alenia, from one of the villages.” There much that could be done with that. An introductory step into the dark arts. It was a test for how far the young elf would go, and something that could be useful for her magic. “…If you pass the tests, Alenia…I may show you the private library.” Of course she kept her materials for this sort of magic isolated. Only a special apprentice could be trusted to see one. Would Alenia be that one? They would find out eventually.

There was a slight chill and darkening of the room, though Pelintira continued to smile. “I left because I chose to live free, to study in peace. I have learned a great deal. I could bring war to the empire, unleash the limits of my power. It would be rather bloody though. Their mages individually do not match me, but they would certainly put up a fight.” She stood up, walked towards Alenia, an intense aura surrounding her. “You have ambition, spirit. But you are a novice. You have only the hint of my power. You want to learn something new, special? You want to learn from me directly? It might destroy you, mind, body and soul.” Maybe it was worth testing her, see if Alenia could someday match her power. ”You want to learn everything, I know? What if I told you all the stories they say about my magic are real? I have studied the darkest arts. Nothing is taboo to my studies, my power. Are you willing to walk that path. A great deal of it is what lesser minds call ‘evil’.” Of course she had standards in how she used her magic, did not cause suffering just because. But many would be disgusted if they saw some of the magic she was capable of. To actually teach someone that side of her magic, it had been a long time since she had such a fresh experience. If the girl was willing, not scared, and had the potential.

That was amusing. Alenia was quite ambitious. “You want to try to knock some sense into that man? I was his personal mage once, you know? Long, long ago. I give him some credit. You would find it hard to imagine our old ways. Before he built his empire. His ancient grudge with those Vanorians down south. The empire was built to fight them, the only one that has succeeded so far. The magic they use is a key weapon in that success.” The wild elves. The pre-empire days. Pelintira had lived in those days, remembered the old ways. When they lived among the woods here, avoided the cities and structures humans used. The Vanorians changed that. The elves needed to change to win. She was legitimately impressed with some aspects of the empire, its power. Though she left for reasons not too unlike her apprentice here. ”The rumors are he fears me of course. My power. Perhaps he does. Though I have not spoken to him in a very long time.” She could probably protect her home. It would not be an easy battle though. She had no desire to provoke it…though if she had a powerful enough apprentice. ”Mao does have a point. Perhaps, someday, you could do such a thing. But you are a long way from that. Even with my personal guidance.” She glanced to Mao, with a smile. “She says she wants me to teach her everything. I wonder if she could handle it?” It was hard to guess if the girl even had a hint of what she was really asking. But this conversation was interesting. She wanted to see where it went.

Pelintira had been aware of the third presence in the room. One of the interesting creatures she had found after making her way out here. Things never seen in the south. What the voice said was not that strange. This girl, who she had rescued, somewhat following her path, but much less skilled in magic than she already was when she left the empire. Of course the young one wanted personal time with her. Personal lesson, maybe other things. But she needed someone special, to take personal lessons from her. Not just anyone could follow in her footsteps. Of course her familiar of sorts was more aware of the truth. Seen private chambers and materials. Knew at least some of the stories about Pelintira were very true. Was the girl capable of such magic? There were several factors behind that question. Did she have the skill? Was she willingness to get her hands dirty? There were costs to such magic too, and some did not have the stomach for the effects. She closed her book, looked to the girl. “Well then, you want a lesson from me personally? Something new? What is your greatest or most secret desire, Alenia? What do you dream of accomplishing through magic? Do not hold back, I told you there are no rules here. What would you ask someone of my skill to teach you?” She was hoping something interesting, and learn more about her apprentice. What did she wish to learn from the ancient mistress of magic, studying for centuries…millennia? Did Alenia believe the stories? Did she have a curiosity for such magic?

The young were always overly eager to learn. That was what Pelintira thought anyways. “My whole library is available to you, Alenia. You have grown bored of it already?” She asked, looking up from a book, with a hard to read small smile on her face. Freedom to study anything you wanted was available here. But it was not quite so simple, especially for the inexperienced. “You aren’t a human girl, desperately racing against the clock, on the verge of death before you have moderate skill.” She did not think much of even the most powerful human mages. She had studied magic for many human generations. Time, study, practice. These were not the only things that mattered but they were important. Shortcuts were available, but… ”Magic is something to enjoy the long slow study. More importantly, it can be very dangerous to explore what are not ready for.” This was a statement that could be interpreted one way. But it was not necessarily referring to forbidden magic. Even stronger versions of conventional spells could overwhelm a careless caster. You had to build your potential, to be able to cast powerful magic without destroying yourself.

Got a little carried away with the introduction, but here is the link. Left it rather open for either of you to stick character(s) https://ecchidreams.com/community/topic/7563-forbidden-magic-elven-witches-satairoleplayingguyxairallie14xwarning/