[Jack Simth]

"Levitation is simple enough, although we don't need to worry about the land beneath our feet changing. Life energy, especially the dense variety found in sentient beings, has a stabalizing effect on an area; while the ground three or four feet in front of you can change (but at that range it won't change much, distance is a significant factor), the ground under our feet will remain as solid as it is now until you leave; you could get by without magic by the simple expediant of tapping a branch on the ground in front of you as you walk. However, normal physics still apply; if the land a mile away shifts in such a way that a river is blocked, the water will continue to flow and may flood the area. I would suggest moving to higher ground."

"The fog clearing spell I cast will follow me and persist until it is dispelled or the fog clears. However, if it is dwarvenfog, it is just a symptom, not the cause. Dwarvenfog is perfectly normal fog; it is just attracted to the changes, and so it is a useful indicator of a changing area. While I haven't been aroud very long to observe, the normal pattern is for the fog to form about a day after a region first forms and fade a day or two after the area stabalizes due to a sufficient quantity of imported life energy by way of plants and animals."

"Of further note is that the wolves, trees, and any grass also has life-energy, although not as dense, and so a wooded area inhabited by wolves will be more stable than an empty forest, while an empty forest will be more stable than a grassy area, and a grassy area will be more stable than bare rock. I'll leave it up to you two to decide which situation is preferable; I can deal with any of them."

"Unfortunately, these changes are random, and don't give off much of anything in the way of warning signs, other than a bit of a rumble for large changes. However, the stabalizing effect of life-energy is cumulative, although not persistent, so with the three of us traveling together the entire area cleared of the fog by my spell will remain stable, giving us ample warning of any changes we need to deal with."

"As to the wolves, my Master hasn't let me into the books with the offensive spells yet, something about me needing to invest in a good gag first. I think he means the spells are more complicated, and I would be asking too many questions at this point, but I can't be entierly certain of that, as I didn't inquire. Anyway, guild rules (of Master Yargoth's school, at any rate) prohibit offensive spells until one reaches journyman status. I'm only three centuries into my apprenticeship; I have at least another four until I'm eligable to take the journyman tests, and most apprentices don't succeed at them until after nearly seven millenia of training. However, Master Yargoth assures me that I am more advanced already than many journymen he has set travelling, and wouldn't have any difficulty with the tests even now. I plan to take them as soon as possible, as then I will be permitted to read the books on shaping terrain, time bending, orgainic conjourations, destructive spells, and several others."

"However, I do have a few spells that might help. I have a few healing spells, some curative spells, conjourings of simple objects (knives, swords, shields and the like, although they only Last an hour or so, and I can't conjour anything that would normally have once been alive - you will have to either deal with a steel grip or make your own if you want me to give you a sword), I can increase a person's strength and speed (but it only Lasts as long as an adreniline rush does; after combat, you will have one doozy of a hangover). I also have a barrier spell that will stop just about anything, but it isn't selective. We can hide behind it to outwait a threat, but we can't attack the threat from within."

"Likewise, I have several spells that are often handy when roaming about, but aren't necessarily useful in a fight; levitation, wheather control (but only for about a dozen pace radius - that's how I got rid of the fog), some illusion, a little teleporting, and food creation (it is nutritious and won't cause any nasty side effects down the road, although it is utterly bland; after several meals, you would kill from some fresh vegtebles or a rabbit), some information spells, a few others."

"I am also good at untangling enchantments. My Master routinely tests me by throwing up barriers to motion and then throwing nasty spells at me. I can teleport out through a teleport scramble in a no-magic zone while bleeding and unconcious now. For that matter, I've done it a time or two. The best anyone can tell, I naturally enhance the mana around me, so that I always have a supply handy. While many people believe my Master is out to kill me, I know better. He just wants to be certain I have all my spells down pat, despite his claims to the contrary."

"I also have several spells that are useful for long-term residence of an area, but we shouldn't be needing those."

"Master Yargoth emphasises knowing a spell completely before moving onto the next, so I can cast any of these instantly in a pinch, even more than one at a time. The words are only mnemonic devices, and can be done without very easily for castings."

"Given a bit of time, I can also enchant any spell I know into inanimate objects, or make a permanent item, but that takes a short while."

"Energy use isn't a problem; I still have an active connection to one of my Master's Harnessed Uncertainty Jewels, and I have a few small ones on me if that fails." Briefly points out a few rings with clear mounted gems on his right hand. "These ones are tagged for teleport, so even if I lose them, I can have them back in an instant, despite teleport blocks or planal barriers. Unfortunately, I can't use tags to go back home, as they only work for bringing something to me, not sending things away. If my smaller Harnessed Uncertainty Jewels are destroyed, I can make more, given time."

"Also, my magic will be free from side effects, as most side effects are the result of energy rushing in to fill the void left by what was expended in making the spell. Harnesed Uncertainty Jewels produce their own in virtually limitless supply (although the rate is limited based on the quality and size of the gem)."

"The name I go by (not my true name, of course) is Jack. What should I call you two?"

[ June 05, 2003, 22:48: Message edited by: Jack Simth ]