A Wizards Tale
From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki
Title: A Wizard's Tale
Author: Lindisfarne
When I was young I dreamed of simple things as children do. I dreamed of magic and spells without price or effort. I know better now. Great things bear considerable prices.
My youth is not worth space beyond those dreams. I learned the basic skills a mage should know. Then did I set forth to seek my fortune in the town of Haven.
In Haven the wizard Uzeraan agreed to help me for a price. Should I aid him in helping Haven he would see to my training and supply for my apprenticeship. From him I learned many things.
In Haven I asked for any who knew of a college of wizards, or of a great wizard who took apprentices. A noble lady, Bethany by name, shod me and told me to seek elsewhere.
But Haven was not enough, and soon I sought to see more of the world. I knew there were more magics than the mages told, and I yearned for them with a passion beyond Haven.
In Moonglow I sought again for a master of all magics to study under. Though I found him not, I found kindness there. A stranger took me aside, and on hearing of my quest to master all the magics aided me most kindly. This unknown, virtuous, man clothed me in a mage's arcane robes.
He gave me reagents to practice with, and told me some about the world. I am indebted to him.
In return he asked that I learn of and seek out the virtues. I readily agreed to his charge, for in my heart I have always sought be virtuous. This charge was the noblest of gifts.
Having learned how little of even magery I knew I set forth to Britain. There did I buy new spells to work with from the cities mages.
But none could tell me more of other magics.
Continuing my quest I journeyed again through the Moongate. Jhelom was my next stop. But beautiful though the city is, it did not hold the wizard's knowledge I sought.
Again in Britain I found myself poor and needing gold. A good man, Grim by name, led me to the mountain passes near Wind. Here would I hunt for some time.
Vesper, Minoc, Cove, and Skara Brae. In all these did I seek to learn of wizards or their schools. None had that which I sought. Nor had any ever heard of such a thing.
Then one day whilst hunting a great lady, Athena, stunned me. She fought beside a magnificent creature. A mare as black as night named Shadow and possessed of great power.
Enchanted by her companion, and her beauty, I sat and spoke with her for hours. When we grew hungry I marked a rune and from the bank brought a feast in my picnic basket.
Yet even Athena had nought to offer my need for magic. Her company was intoxicating, but my burning hunger drew me onwards. I knew my quest would continue.
For a time I fought the orcs near Cove, and continued hunting near Wind, seeking gold for my needs. I continued to wander the world having bought a small boat, which I named Farseer.
Together Farseer and I sailed the world in search of magic.
Buccaneer's Den, Monster Island, Serpent's Hold, Nujelm, Magincia, all were empty of that which I sought.
I learned of my quest's next step soon though. In my travels I have died many times, only the kindness of strangers and healers has saved me so far. So I know some of death.
But as I died I learned more. Soon I could sense spirits, and learned to speak with them. They told me of the magics of death. And told me to seek them out in Umbra.
Intrigued I returned to the Moongate again. I stepped into it and holding thoughts of death magic in my mind bent it to my will. The Moongate would take me to another world. I willed it to be so.
Beyond I found a dark and terrible city. Filled with powerful magics, but tainted with the evil that death, and undeath, bring.
Here I found new teachers. Evil teachers. In the dark city of Umbra I found at last that which I sought. Or so I foolishly thought.
Necromancers there agreed to train me, for a price. And I started on a fell path that day.
Soon I ventured beyond the city of Umbra to seek new spells. Dark spells. I saw an abandoned pyramid, orcs, deserts, crystal forests, and dark magic I will not speak of here.
Yet still I knew there was more. And from my fellow necromancers I learned even darker things. I learned of the taint on my soul such magics left.
But no taint would keep me from my quest to become a great wizard, and so I would pay a black price. For each necromantic spell would stain my soul with an eternal mark.
Then the day came that again my quest was laid forth. I had ventured far west of Umbra to seek more spells. My spellbook was nearly complete. Orcs beset me from ahead.
Twas then that I saw the spirit of a slain warrior and raising him with magic was led to a new land. Across islands and bridges we traveled until the sky cleared and the sun shone through.
Here in a new land of Malas I met two more men. Noble knights they quested like me to destroy monsters and rid the land of evil. But their spells were strange, and I hungered for them.
They spoke of Masters of Chivalry and holy mages in a fair city of Luna. They told me of how I could attone for my tainted magics by making a pilgrimage to them there.
Thus bolstered with hope for my soul's state and hungering for new spells I set forth. North led the road. Past merchants it went. A camp of murderers I passed, and laid waste.
At the end of my road lay a shining city built of sandstone. Great walls were around it, and in the center a fortress city. Here in the beauty of Luna I would find what I sought.
The holy warriors there agreed to help me if I would do penance for my sins. Handing me a book and teaching me only the basics of chivalry they sent me forth to learn more.
Upon me they laid a charge most dangerous. I was to wander the world unshod, clothed only in my death shroud. No magic to bear save two holy relics. My weapon no longer spells but a pike.
This charge they lay on me until I should have repented my unholy ways.
I was to bear this quest until I had learned more of chivalrous ways than I had of dark necromancies.
From Luna I set forth. For a time I wandered afoot slaying evil where I found it. I learned new powers and vanquished many a lesser evil. My path led far south and west.
Far beyond the city I found a magical forest. Within lay faerie groves surrounding great yew trees. Here was peace for my heart. In the faerie woods did I in safety practice chivalry.
Aided and taught by the faeries I at last learned enough of my new magic to cleanse away some of the dark taint.
Thus renewed I took up my magics again. Thus strengthened I set forth.
Returning at last to Britain I am now resolved.
In this land, and in distant ones, I have sought for magic. I have found much, but no master who will teach.
No college of wizards.
This morn I woke with a vision still in my eyes. I have seen a white tower filled with knowledge. In it were teachers and students, all magics were taught. I know now where to seek.
I am to learn of the three magics. When I have mastered them I shall build the college I saw. So now my quest truly begins. Truly I only can I say I have begun a wizard's tale.