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Chapter 1 : Arrival
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Smee



Joined: 16 Oct 2004
Posts: 5215
Location: UK

Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 12:48 am    Post subject: Chapter 1 : Arrival  

One of the guards, his voice slightly muffled by the creaking of the carriage, called out from the head of the procession.

“Everybody listen up” he shouted.

The commanding tone immediately identified him as not just a guard, but my most trusted protector Jarad. With a startling suddenness silence was achieved as the convoy came to an abrupt halt. Showing no sign that he’d expected anything less Jarad continued.

“When we reach the top of the next rise we’ll be in sight of the walls of Vlusos. Let’s sharpen things up, I want to be as impressed as if the High Mage Alar himself were watching.”

As his voice faded the sounds of many people racing to carry out the command sent vibrations through the carriage. Everyone was well trained and knew what to do. With a small shock I noticed that Luc had managed to escape the confines of the cushions and joined the rest of the organised chaos whilst I’d been listening. Before I could think any further my curtain was drew aside and Jarad’s scarred face came into view.

“Are you ready for a bit of show then, big first impressions are always well received.”

I knew what he was referring to, we’d spent the quiet hours of the journey going over and over plans for our arrival. With a smile I made my reply.

“Aye, lets get on with it. It’s time that Vlusos was livened up a bit, and I’m getting cramped in here anyway.”

I stepped out of the carriage, the cushions reverting to their original state as I went. I needed all the spare energy I could to do this properly. I felt a bit giddy as I climbed on to the roof. I always did when I was about to show off; the showman in me delirious at the prospect.

With a few minutes to go I went through the required gestures in my mind, stretching the protesting muscles of my body as much as I could at the same time. Around me I could see all the supply wagons gathering up together; they’d be taking a longer route around the city, going through the much smaller servant gates and preparing my accommodations for later. In front and to the sides my small retinue of guards were putting finishing touches to gleaming armour and well groomed horses. Pennants were already struggling to escape from the tips of pikes as they flapped in protest to their captivity.

Jarad was moving everywhere, checking a horses hoof at one point, barking an order to a young guard who’d just dropped the angle of his pike too much a second later. Everything needed to be perfect, and if Jarad had anything to do with it, then it would be.

Suddenly everything was ready. Without wasting a second, as the sun continued it’s decline into the horizon, Jarad gave the order to move out. We moved very slowly, first of all to make sure we didn’t raise any dust from the road that would ruin the sheen on the armour, but mainly to give me the time I needed for my contribution.

Hands poised I waited for the signal – a glimpse of the battlements. The top of a flag on the topmost tower of the Lyceum came into view and I decided to start the show.

My hands rose straight into the air, and came down again with equal speed. As the first traces of light appeared around our group I continued the gesture into a forward arch of my left arm, whilst my right traced out a complicated pattern, similar to a 6 pointed star. The gestures came with the ease of much practice and I soon allowed myself chance to view the results as my unconscious mind continued with the show.

My small retinue had suddenly become a small host; row upon row of horses surrounded my carriage – each mounted by a Knight with armour that now shone like gold. Indeed to all intents and purposes it was gold, although without the complications of expense and added weight. As darkness slowly descended on the world a blue light shot up from beneath us and illuminated us all. Small streaks of brightest white and yellow light flew into the sky, exploding in dazzling patterns and swirls.

Instead of standing on the roof of a small carriage I was now 40ft in the air, stood atop a massive wheeled tower, moving forward by no apparent means. Continuing the ever more exhausting gestures I sat down on a golden throne, plump with blue silk cushions and relaxed slightly. I could see the first heads appearing atop of the now blatant walls ahead of us. My show was being noticed.

With renewed enthusiasm I added a twist and a tail to a gesture I was halfway through and the yellow swirls of light that were about to explode in the sky took on the form of great golden birds that floated away in a semi-circle above us, framing us with a halo of gentle falling golden feathers.

I caught Jarad looking up, he knew the plans almost as well as me, and he’d obviously noted the extra extravagance. A small hunch of my shoulders were the only acknowledgement I could give as I went into the finale.

We had less than 100 feet to go before we’d pass through the already opening gates. I diminished the number of my guards slightly, to allow for the width of them, and begrudgingly lowered the height of my tower slightly. The subtle alterations wouldn’t be noticed, and I didn’t want to ruin the show by hitting my head on the walls.

50 feet to go and it was time. The lights streaking across the sky stopped as I doubled up my body, my face staring at my knees as I started the spell with my concealed hands. I then snapped my body upright and thrust out with both arms…

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Ok then team Gorin, lets warm up your creativity…get that grey matter working, stretch out those imaginations.

What is our finale going to be like?

I want something spectacular, but also remember that Gorin is getting rather tired and something like a hundred pink elephants cart-wheeling down the main street is beyond him right now.

Lets have a few ideas and then I’ll put up a poll.
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Muaddib



Joined: 31 Dec 2004
Posts: 1765

Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 1:32 am    Post subject:  

Very well written. I'm glad to be on this team. My first idea is: The tower collapses to reveal many magnificent dragons of all hues, who whizz around and give a fiery display.
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Phang



Joined: 19 Sep 2004
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Location: Phang's House of Mints

Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 1:52 am    Post subject:  

Um...a hundred pink elephants cart-wheeling down the main street?
Sorry, sorry, sorry. Had to be done, and I was the one to do it.
Serious answer coming shortly.
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sparta12



Joined: 24 Jan 2005
Posts: 1201
Location: Victoria, Australia

Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 3:52 am    Post subject:  

I havent read it all cause I was busy during the reading but i'll just comment:
Oh yeah sure smee... Dont comment on how I helped look for a screenshot for the Gorin character... IM OFFENDED! :evil:
lol.
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my self
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:33 am    Post subject:  

I don't know if he has the power for this but I thought of something awesome I hope, :P. I say we have the tower seemingly explode, bricks flying everywhere, and have a dragon emerge, which he could ride into Vlusos. If that would take too much energy, or just not cool enough, lemme know.

EDIT:Oh yeah Smee I think this sentence: Quote: As his voice faded there was the busy sound of a lot of people running around as they raced to carry out the command. Would sound better if it read: "As his voice faded there were the sounds of many people racing to carry out the command." Or something similar. Just my opinion on it :p.
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Smee
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:51 am    Post subject:  

The tower exploding, the dragon - all possible.

It's the flying part that isn't. Gorin can't fly in an illusion - there is nothing below him supporting him. The tower is ok, because it's based on the carriage, and is built on from that.

Of course, an illusion of Gorin on a dragon is possible - but it wouldn't be the real him - he'd have to hide somewhere. Projecting it any real distance would be hard as well - it's not like an exploding firework effect that finishes - the dragon would have to be sustained, and he's definately too tired for that.

Keep the ideas coming - there is plenty of time. :)

Some ideas of my own:

- 50 balls of fire fly into the air, scatter into tiny drops that form into a rainbow over the city.

- As above, but form the word GORIN in huge letters over the city
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my self
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:53 am    Post subject:  

Who said fly it in? :p. Also edited my first post.
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Smee
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:58 am    Post subject:  

Riding a dragon could be interesting - I suppose it could fly around a bit and then come in for a landing. Gorin then climbs on it's back for the walk into the city. The proximity would make it easier.

I've edited my post as well,

and I've changed that sentence a bit - well spotted. :)
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my self
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 9:03 am    Post subject:  

But Smee unless the carriage rose to be 40ft tall then Gorin wouldn't be at the top of the tower, he'd be in the seat of the carriage, unless the one in the tower is an illusion.
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Smee
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 9:53 am    Post subject:  

With the tower, the carriage is still there, and provides the base for the illusion.

The magic then builds onto the base, providing the tower. Raising Gorin up to the top of the tower. Gorin is standing on a tower of magic effectively.

However, with a flying dragon, there is no base to build on, nothing as a foundation for the magic to work with. Its ok with a dragon on the ground, as the ground works as the foundation, but in the sky its a whole other matter.

If I'm not explaining this too well, it's because I'm still working out the theory in my head, but I need to have some limits to Gorins magic and I think flying around on an illusion is one of them.

Keep coming up with these points though, its important to get these questions raised and thought put into them.
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my self
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 10:12 am    Post subject:  

But if it's an illusion, how is he up there, even if it has a foundation if it's not really there how is it possible for him to be upon it? I mean does his magic have the ability to take solid form even if it is an illusion?
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Smee
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 10:34 am    Post subject:  

Yes, so long as there is a foundation it's effectivly real, but only at a certain distance away from Gorin. Too far and it fades into a fake item first - i.e. looks real but you put your arm through it - a bit further and it fades like a ghost, and even further it disappears.
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my self
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 3:07 pm    Post subject:  

Oooh, here's an idea you could try and pull off Smee. As he enters, have the majority of his escort disappear, proving they were never actually there. Not to say he didn't have one, just a thought.
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Smee
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 12:06 am    Post subject:  

Good one :)
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Muaddib
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Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 4:55 pm    Post subject:  

He could lob a pebble at the city and it could turn into a meteor.
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Smee
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Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 3:51 pm    Post subject:  

Oooh...interesting. :)

Expanding - how about spelling Gorin in shooting stars?

When Jakeen arrives in the city I'll put up a poll and we can get voting. :)

In the meantime keep the ideas coming.

As there isn't many of us I'll put up either 3 or 4 of the best ideas to vote on, otherwise we'll be in danger of getting a 4 way split.

It's once we're in the city that things really start happening. :D
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Smee
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Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 10:43 am    Post subject:  

Right then, as Jakeen has joined the party, and my absence has taken us from ahead of the game to well behind, it's time for a poll.

I've selected the 3 most viable options. When you post about what you have voted, let me know any slight differences, or ideas you have about what you voted for.

I won't be voting unless we get a tie.

Ooh..my first poll - I'm all excited. :)
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Muaddib
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Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 6:33 pm    Post subject:  

I chose the third, the 1st two seemed a bit cliched(even though i suggested the first)
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Smee
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Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 4:30 am    Post subject:  

We still have 2 more votes to be cast - who has already voted apart from Muaddib?
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sparta12
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Joined: 24 Jan 2005
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 3:50 am    Post subject:  

I reckon the first option sounded too much like something out of an Anime movie... Like Spirited Away
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Smee
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Joined: 16 Oct 2004
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 8:28 am    Post subject:  

Still one more person - who and where are you. :)




Edit:

Ok - that's it. Vote over. Mystery 5th team member you missed out on this one, hope you are back for the next one.

Gorin is going to end his performance by making the escort disappear.
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