5th Gate

[peacockherald]

[Well, residents. It is time for that question that seems to pop up at least once a month or at least several times a year when a holiday comes around. You all know that question. The question from the poor souls who have no idea what it is all the fuss is about, and not sure they want to know. But being as they don't want to be caught unawares, they ask anyways.]

I have been hearing chatter about this and have read some of it in some quite old entries in the journal, but... What, precisely, is Valentine's Day? 

Comments

[peacockherald]

I think preparing for something is the worse. It means something is coming, but we have no idea what or why or when.

[solar_absorber]

Either way, the castle gains more power, leaving us that much more powerless against it.

[peacockherald]

Even so, I worry for what it might be preparing for than its power at the moment. If we do not survive the coming encounter, it will not matter.

[solar_absorber]

Well, we don't even know for sure that anything is coming, so there's no need to go into panic mode. We just need to be alert.

[He glances at Yfandes.]

What are the lady's thoughts on all this?

[peacockherald]

_{[There is a pause, Vanyel's eyes glazed as he listened and then - ]}

She agrees with us both. No need to panic, but no need to not be cautious and try and be as prepared as possible.

[solar_absorber]

[He nods and smiles at Yfandes.]

Sounds like a plan we can get behind.

[peacockherald]

_{[Yfandes snorted, bobbing her head in agreement and Vanyel laughed, stroking her neck.]}

I wonder if there is a way to put basic procedures in place - like where those less capable of fighting could go and where those capable of should go to.

[solar_absorber]

I don't know. The last time we had a battle here, all the kids and non-fighter types were left in the castle while the rest of us were out in the line of fire.

[peacockherald]

I suppose it would change depending on threat. I just.. it would make me feel better if there was some sort of safe-house they could go to - because what happens if the front line falls?

[solar_absorber]

Well, if there's a safe house around I haven't heard about it. Maybe it's something we should ask around about.

[peacockherald]

I would like to. If nothing else, perhaps myself and some of the other magic users can create one.

[solar_absorber]

There's a possibility. Have you met any of the other magic users?

[peacockherald]

Felix, mostly, but I know there are more.

[solar_absorber]

It would probably be better to start with whoever you trust.

[peacockherald]

Felix knows that I have been working on shielding a room.

Perhaps it would be possible to expand the idea.

[solar_absorber]

Is he going to help you with that? I'll help however I can, but I'm no magic user.

Expand it how?

[peacockherald]

Well, I can shield a small room almost indefinitely with minimal maintenance. I wonder if it could be possible to do the same to a much larger room.

[solar_absorber]

How far have you gotten? Do you think it'll work? You know, without draining you too much.

Ashura, you has a fiance, stop butting in on Vanyel

[peacockherald]

Shields are put up over time. They are to delicate and temperamental to just slap together. My room is complete, but not anything larger.

[solar_absorber]

So this is more of a long term project then.

[peacockherald]

It would have to, unless Felix and I worked out a system that would make it faster. I have to draw on my own energies here, and while they are substantial, I have no node to quickly refuel myself.

[solar_absorber]

Node, right. I think you mentioned it before. Some sort of untapped magic you can draw from, right?

[peacockherald]

Yes. They are... they are pools of natural magic that run through the earth. They meet at these central areas, which form nodes. They are places of great power, and often times will have a city built on them by accident or will have strange occurrences happening around them because they leak into the natural world. Some mages - especially the Taleydras - can learn to harness and mold this power, which adds to their own.

[solar_absorber]

But there aren't any here. Was that the only way you were able to get magic? Through the nodes?

[peacockherald]

No, I have my own natural magic, but nodes provided a boost of power and easy recharge. I recharge naturally with rest and food, but it takes longer. And there might be nodes here, I just cannot sense them for whatever reason.