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[Veneficus Beleren]

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Ven’s eyelids drooped a bit as he flipped through the pages of the book in front of him. He had always valued knowledge above all else, and while his skills as a Mage were now close to reaching their pinnacle, he was still most interested in the pursuit of scholarly interests. So much so that he had spent the last six hours in the library here at Stonegate, bouncing between the ground floor and second floor stacks. But six hours of reading is enough to make even the most enthusiastic person a bit drowsy, and so here he was. Ven tried to keep his eyes open, but the heavy lids would not obey. Hoping to wake himself, he got up rapidly, snagged the book he was reading off the table and returned it to the shelf. Perhaps he just needed something more interesting to read. He moved from stack to stack, looking at the titles of the books. Nothing of real interest… this one was too boring… he had already read that one… he didn’t care about this person’s journal… Ven sighed. Perhaps it was time to call it a day. Straightening his blue robe, he descended down to the first floor and slowly walked towards the door, glancing randomly at the stacks as he walked by. His weary mind was slow to process the images coming from his eyes, so he was a full two steps outside of the Library until the last image registered in his head. What was that book??? Ven turned on his heel and went back into the Library. There, in the first stack of shelves, was the book that had caught his attention. It must have been here the WHOLE TIME and I somehow missed it… He felt charged, excited. All trace of weariness and fatigue was gone. He ran his fingers over the cover of the book and felt the engraving of the title, almost as though he wanted to make sure it was real. Satisfied and delighted with his find, Ven took the book to one of the tables set up among the stacks and sat down. He placed the book in front of him and looked down at the title, allowing the words to sink in.

“A Treatise on Dimensional Travel”
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Veneficus, The Blue Mage

[Veneficus Beleren]

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"Dimensional Travel"

Ven stared at the words on the cover of the book until they blurred in his vision. He closed his eye and shook his head in order to clear his mind.

Here it was. A book that might very well hold the key to his ability to return back to his own plane of existence, his home. He could barely believe it.

He flipped open the book and scanned the Table of Contents, hoping to find something that was immediately familiar. No such luck. Ven flipped through the first few pages of text and exhaled deeply in frustration. This was all very basic and not at all what he needed.

He skipped to the middle of the book and ended up opening to a page that was towards the end of one of the middle chapters. This was much more advanced, but not helpful. In fact, the more Ven read of the chapter, the more confused he became. What were they talking about? What were these reagents they said were required? Ven closed his eyes tightly, and let his head roll back. Gritting his teeth he let out another long sigh of frustration.

"Okay..." he thought to himself "Okay you are tired and you are weak from not eating much today and this is all new to you. You need to rest and tackle this in the morning. There still might be something useful here. You just need sleep." Ven decided to listen to his inner monologue, even though he was still incredibly irritated with the book and with himself. He closed the book, tucked it under his arm, wrote his name and the book title on the ledger in the library in order to sign it out, and left for home. He would eat and sleep, and tomorrow he would pour through the book again and ferret out any secrets it held.
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Veneficus, The Blue Mage

[Veneficus Beleren]

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A new day brought renewed vigor. Refreshed from his much-needed sleep, Ven decided to take his book to the Lycaeum to do his reading. Perhaps the mages there could be of some help in interpreting the aspects of the book with which he was unfamiliar.

Kal Ort Por


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Ven found an empty table in the Lycaeum and sat down, gently placing the book in front of himself. He flipped it open and scanned the Table of Contents again. Nothing seemed to jump out at him as familiar or promising, so he began to go through each individual chapter. The first three chapters turned out to be nothing more than personal anecdotes relating to the misuse of magery and the dangers associated with interdimensional travel. Sighing, Veneficus flipped ahead to the later chapters. Here the book got more complex, and more confusing. The fourth chapter talked about reagents that could be used for the process, and Ven made sure to write this list down elsewhere for his own use. The fifth chapter explained a bit about some of the different dimensions that were on record, but again editorializing by the author got in the way of Veneficus being able to glean any useful information. Shaking his head in frustration, Ven put the book down and collected his thoughts.

What do we know? Okay. We know that dimensional travel is possible on this plane. We know that it can be done with the right reagents. Ven looked down at the book. But I don't even know how to direct what dimension I end up in. I am not even sure my definition of "dimension" and the book's definition are the same thing! Sighing deeply in order to calm himself, Ven closed the book and began to take it from mage to mage in the Lycaeum, asking if they could tell him any information. Most told him they had never seen the book before, a few said nothing at all and simply walked away. His anger grew at each failed attempt to gain any insight into the process. To be this close to being able to get home... no... I will NOT have this taken away from me...

Exiting the Lycaeum, Veneficus stared up at the sky. It was overcast today, and he smelled moisture in the air. It would rain soon. Better than getting constantly snowed on like we are in Stonegate... This thought, though benign in its intent, caused a cascade of ideas in Ven's head. Stonegate. I remember when I joined Merci showed me... what was that stone... the Ether Stone! Ether Stone. She said it had great power. And it's name... that can't be a coincidence. Ether is what stands between the planes of existance. I have to find out more about that stone...

Finally feeling that perhaps his quest had some direction, Ven grinned a bit. He must return to Stonegate. He must find Merci and learn more of the Ether Stone.
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Veneficus, The Blue Mage

[Veneficus Beleren]

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Veneficus smiled as he spoke the incantation. He was happy to have finally mastered Magery on this plane, and there were a number of spells that he enjoyed casting here. Polymorph was among them, and turning himself into a Polar Bear to ease the cold of the valley in which Stonegate stood was fast becoming commonplace for him. His paws dug firmly into the packed snow as his body changed from human to bear, and as the thick layer of fat materialized under his skin he felt the sharpness of the cold weather fall away. Grinning (if bears can, in fact, grin), Ven charged off towards the Stonegate library to return the thus-far useless book.

Running through the first valley en route to the library, Ven spied Merci and Myrddin standing outside the Guildhall. He slowed his gallop and reverted to human form, slowing approaching the area where they stood. "Hail, Sire. Hello, Oracle" Ven smiled at them. Myrddin nodded to him and stepped inside the guildhall. Merci remained outside, her face set in what looked like sadness and worry to Veneficus.

"Ven," she said "I have a task for you..."

"Of course, Oracle" Ven replied. "What can I do for you?"

Merci allowed herself a small smile, but her tone dropped in volume a bit. "The Library... has burned down. It has been destroyed. We don't know who did it or why, but it's gone."

Ven's eyes widened and he took a half step back in disbelief. "Oh I'm so sorry to hear that, Oracle... I loved the library. I have spent so many hours there..."

Merci nodded. "Aye, I know you have. That's why I feel this task is best suited for you. Our Lady of Ether, Stallis... we believe her body is among the wreckage. Could you please find her body, and using telekinesis, move it to some place more sheltered until we can have a proper burial for her?"

"Of course, Oracle. I will do so at once." Ven couldn't help but be startled that the Library was now destroyed... just after he had taken the book...

"Please also collect all the books that are left, Veneficus. Even ones that are damaged. We may yet still be able to salvage them." Merci put her hand on his shoulder. "I feel you are the best person for this, Ven. I immediately believed that this was best suited for a Mage, and among our Mages, I think this is best suited for you personally."

Ven nodded. "I am honored, Oracle. I will go to the Library immediately."

Merci nodded and walked into the Guildhall. Stepping off the Guildhall steps, Ven reverted back to his Polar Bear form and shambled towards the area of the valley where the Library once stood. This was a very odd occurrence, and Ven was not at all sure that it was not somehow related to the fact that he took the book. He couldn't very well ask Merci about the Ether Stone today. He would do as he was bid and fall into Merci's good graces. With that accomplished, he felt he would be safer in trying to find out any information he could about the Stone.
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Veneficus, The Blue Mage

[Veneficus Beleren]

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Weeks later, after a proper burial had been performed and the books recovered from the ruined Library, Veneficus found himself again running through Stonegate Valley in Polar Bear form. There was no specific task at hand; his thoughts of the Ether Stone had gone by the wayside for the time being and he was simply out on a nice day enjoying the peace the Valley afforded him. He had grown to love the cities here (particularly Trinsic) but found it soothing to get away from the hustle-and-bustle occasionally. Stonegate Valley was his favorite place to do this. This was not for a lack of activity, however, as people were found in the Valley at all times. Rather, it was a feeling that had been fostered in him when he was here. Up in the mountains, away from the cities. Surrounded by pure, white snow that muffled most of the sound. In this place Ven felt Connected, Yet Not. It was a place that made him feel secluded, but not alone.

Rounding an outcropping of rock, Ven spied Merci and immediately flashed back to his thoughts of the previous month. He slowed his gallop and reverted to human form, approaching Merci with a smile on his face.

"Good day, Oracle"

"Good day to you, Veneficus" Merci smiled at him. "How are you?"

"I am well, although colder again now that I don't have that polar bear blubber to keep me warm" Ven smiled and chuckled as he crossed his arms to brace himself against the cold.

Merci nodded. "Shall we go to the Meadhall for some food and a warm fire, then?"

Ven nodded enthusiastically "I love that idea".


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Sitting on the second floor of the Meadhall by the fire and eating the food that Livvie had left in the kitchen, Ven and Merci chatted for awhile about happenings both in the Valley and other parts of the realm. The turn of their discussion to the destruction of the Library was what finally afforded Veneficus an opportunity to bring up the Ether Stone in a way that he hoped wouldn't arouse suspicion or curiosity.

"Books in the Library speak of the Stone..." he had said to Merci "...but they were only allusions, never anything specific. It seems to be an interesting relic. Do you know much of it?"

He knew full well that she did when he asked the question, and as he hoped, Merci showed no hesitation in telling him what she knew. He was surprised at the vast amount of history of the Stone, and even more surprised that although it had been around for a considerable time period, it's full powers were not known. Of the few parts of it's power that had been discovered, Ven seized on the fact that it had been used to open a portal before (even though the outcome of that particular event was not exactly a positive one). If it had opened a portal before, surely it could do so again... But how? How was Veneficus to explore the power of the Stone on his own? Help was clearly needed, and again Ven found himself wondering how to tackle the situation without arising curiosity. Surely if it was realized that he was heavily researching this power of the Stone, someone would find cause for alarm.

As Ven struggled with this issue internally, the answer to the problem literally walked up the steps and sat across from him.

"Hello, Mairsil" Merci said "This is Veneficus, one of our Mages." She looked back to Ven "Mairsil is Myrddin's father, and a powerful Mage."

"It's an honor to meet you, Mairsil" Ven stood and bowed slightly as he spoke to Mairsil. "A pleasure to meet you as well" Mairsil smiled as Ven sat back down.

"I am glad you are here, I was just telling Veneficus about the Ether Stone. I know you have some experience with it" Merci looked back and forth between Ven and Mairsil as she spoke. "Ven is interested in learning more of the Stone's power and as you have some experience with it I think it may be best for the two of you to work together on this. We all need to know more about it, I think it may benefit us greatly".

Ven's heart leaped into his throat. Not only would this collaboration with Mairsil allow him to further research the Stone, it would do so without arousing alarm from the Guild! This was an incredible case of dumb luck, and for that he could not be happier.

Mairsil nodded again in response to Merci's suggestion. "Aye, I think we should research the Stone further. All of our Mages should, actually. I think perhaps the formation of a Mage Council is in order to best address this".

"Agreed" Ven said, hoping that his voice did not give away his excitment.

"Very good, then" Merci said "Oh, I should also tell you, Ven, that Ciara has had experience with the Stone as well. You may do well to seek her out".

Ven nodded "I shall". He stood up from the table, straightening his blue robes. "I must be going. It was a pleasure meeting you, Mairsil. I look forward to working with you" he glanced to Merci "and I will contact Ciara about her possible help as well".

Merci and Mairsil bade Ven good day and he was off again, charging through the Valley in bear form, mind racing with the possibilities. If a passerby were to see that bear, they might have sworn it was smiling.
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Veneficus, The Blue Mage

[Merci d'Rue]

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One thing you could say about Merci, is oft times her actions were deliberate. A great deal of curiosity was within her about Veneficus, the Mage in Blue that had been brought by fate to Stonegate. Indeed she needed to know more.

Normally, she would of told the new member, that he would learn all with time. It did not fail Merci's notice that he had many questions about the Stone. He was a mage, he wanted a power source for something. She told him almost everything she new. Almost..

He liked the idea of Mairsil and he working together, of Ciara's introduction to it as well. Indeed she felt strongly, that it was most important that Veneficus not be left... totally without help. Somewhere in the path of destiny this was to be, whatever would come of it was beyond her control, and the Oracle would not fight against it.

Veneficus was talented, eager, and up to something. Her keen senses could practically smell the eagerness radiating from him, each time she suggested something that he wanted. So she gave him all that he wished for and more.

What would this all bring? Perhaps nothing, perhaps something.. did she send them on a deadly task that would hurt them, or did she send them on a task that would bring forth greatness. She did not know, but she knew that whatever it was, no matter the part they all played that it would bring new strength.

What Veneficus did not realize, is that it was greater than she and he. This was much deeper then their bodies that lived upon the snow.
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May destiny guide you...