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Forum Thread

Kingdom of Aeraya

Forum-Index → Roleplay → Kingdom of Aeraya
Interna_Chaotica
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Forum Posts: 49
Posted: Sat, 05/12/2020 01:08 (3 Years ago)
"Are you saying you can't win against me in a simple challenge of words? Surely not! And besides, our mind games are as adaptable as your battle plans! You see, the only differences are that our games are simply words, while your cost blood. And, my personal favorite difference, our mind games build as they go on. Much like a swordsman in their apprenticeship versus when they've become as good a battler as you." The words came out in flurries, just slow enough to be understood, but just fast enough so as to make the other person to have to focus to keep up.
possumboy
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Forum Posts: 221
Posted: Sat, 05/12/2020 01:14 (3 Years ago)
Regina looked him in the eye. "Words, you say? Picture this, Tirik. You've been captured by enemy soldiers, and they're trying to decide whether to execute you or hold you, prisoner. How do you think I got out of those situations? I talked my way out. Fought, yes, but I had to play their games, I had to act, and I had to twist their own words against them, and walked out without a scratch. We may ask the price of blood, but we battle with our actions. Actions may cause mistakes, and they may hurt, but at least they can be done over by the better. Words simply keep you alive and going."
Interna_Chaotica
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Forum Posts: 49
Posted: Sat, 05/12/2020 01:18 (3 Years ago)
"Ah, yes. But, with the correct knowledge, words turn lethal. I know a phrase, for example, that causes temporary blindness and deafness in a small group that hears it. Or, another that causes their eyes and ears to bleed, later resulting in.. Anyways, words can keep you going, yes, but the correct words can wage a war all on their own. That is why we Mages use words and not blades." He smiled, anticipating the General's answer.
possumboy
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Forum Posts: 221
Posted: Sat, 05/12/2020 01:22 (3 Years ago)
Regina shrugged. "I'll admit, you have a point, but Mages can only do so much. Your spells may help you now, but how many Aprinticences do you take? One, maybe two, or three? The knight's numbers are constantly multiplying. In mass, we can take over a kingdom in weeks. Power can come from numbers, something that the Mages do not have."
Interna_Chaotica
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Forum Posts: 49
Posted: Sat, 05/12/2020 01:32 (3 Years ago)
"Ah, yes, unless you have the correct type of Mage. Me, for example. As a Summoner, I can summon a whole army in a matter of hours. And, might I add, I can summon war engines, siege towers, and many others with simply a bit of chalk and charcoal. Tell me, General, and I mean no offense in this, have you considered allowing me to equip your knights with tactical companions to assist them in battle? There would be much less bloodshed, I'm sure." Tirik had changed topics at random, his tongue forming the words nearly faster than even he could understand them. Nearly.
possumboy
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Forum Posts: 221
Posted: Sat, 05/12/2020 01:37 (3 Years ago)
"Hm. Chalk and Charcoal. Interesting, considering that it would be pretty hard to find that when you're desperate for reinforcements when a simple carrier pigeon can get you the manpower you need." She paused when he mentioned the equipment. "I suppose I could consider it. In theory, it might work, but keep in mind that not all of the members of the army know of magic. I don't know how they'd react to that. Though I suppose your little magic helpers might be of use, especially to our younger recruits."
Interna_Chaotica
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Forum Posts: 49
Posted: Sat, 05/12/2020 01:43 (3 Years ago)
"Well, assuming there's wood on hand, the charcoal is easy. And, with the right stones, perhaps the stones a castle wall is made of, the chalk isn't a problem. Say you're attempting to outwait an opponent, they've holed up in their fortress and you have no way in and no way to attack. Your archers are trained on their defenses, ready to fire at anything that moves to attack. A simple chip off of that building would allow for your men to quickly reach the top of the walls and lay siege to the castle. And, with a few extra seconds, they could be rushing in the main gates as well. I'd think magical influence would benefit the army greatly, maybe even make super-soldiers of them. As for reactions to the magic, the worst I've seen is a minor rash." He smiled broadly at the last words he'd said, the joke from out of the blue.
possumboy
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Forum Posts: 221
Posted: Sat, 05/12/2020 02:16 (3 Years ago)
Regina was not amused. "I suppose you make good points. Magic could do a lot for us, but let me make my point. Magic can summon, destroy, whatever it is that you do with it. But can magic carry you back to camp when you're bleeding out? Will Magic rush the enemy lines when you've been captured?" She looked down, and whispered, "will magic be there for you even when you've harmed everyone else?" She straightened up. "My point is, those are things that only man can do."
Interna_Chaotica
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Forum Posts: 49
Posted: Sat, 05/12/2020 02:37 (3 Years ago)
Tirik shrugged. "I wouldn't be so sure, General. A few Ghouls could easily rush the lines and free you, and the right Djinni would gladly carry you back. Magic is man, but the opposite side. The side we can't touch without losing our minds. The side we were meant to control."
possumboy
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Forum Posts: 221
Posted: Sat, 05/12/2020 02:43 (3 Years ago)
Regina was skeptical. "So you really think Magic can replace a hard trained soldier?" She crossed her arms. "I find that hard to believe. We've won many wars without your magic, only with determination, the weapons in our hands, and a spirit to fight. We didn't need this, "side," as you call it. We didn't need to risk our sanity to be successful." Stop thinking of this as a conversation, she thought. Think of this as a duel. Regina had learned to remain impassive and quick thinking in her duels. This way, she could simply walk away.
Interna_Chaotica
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Forum Posts: 49
Posted: Sat, 05/12/2020 03:42 (3 Years ago)
"Yes, but plenty of resources go into training a knight, while a few markings and good knowledge can summon an entire army of well trained Hoplites, an armada of submerging troop carriers, even an airborne battalion of assassins! With magic paired with manpower, a kingdom becomes a House of the Gods, a place to be worshipped! Hm, I forgot something though.. A Summoner summons nearly anything, and that includes non-creatures. Imagine, your blade might never dull. Or maybe it makes your motions more fluid with use. Or maybe your armor weighs less! Think, what happens if your army had an all powerful deity leading them? They'd be incredibly loyal, whether it be from admiration or fear." Tirik's face grew serious, his voice becoming more somber.
possumboy
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Forum Posts: 221
Posted: Sat, 05/12/2020 03:48 (3 Years ago)
"Again, I can see that you have many good points. But I also want to bring up another thing. There is a certain kind of loyalty that is needed, whether it is between Knight and Knight, or if it is from a soldier to Captian. Magic may be able to replicate this, but it is not the true loyalty that comes from a human heart devoted to something, that being the military. You need that one on one connection to truly succeed." Regina wished she could have that though. A one on one connection....would be nice.
Interna_Chaotica
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Forum Posts: 49
Posted: Sat, 05/12/2020 04:06 (3 Years ago)
Tirik stayed quiet for a second, his eyes scanning Regina's face carefully. His voice, when he finally spoke, seemed to have lost some cockiness. "Perhaps, if you'd like to get something off your shoulders, we should step away from the Royal Family. My workshop has a place where you can sit comfortably, if you'd like."
possumboy
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Forum Posts: 221
Posted: Sat, 05/12/2020 04:12 (3 Years ago)
Regina sighed. "I'm fine, Tirik. I think you have much better things to do. With this assassination threat, I'm going to need to work even more to keep the Royal Family safe." In truth, she would like to talk to someone, but the voice in her head whispered, "You have more important things to do. Like not showing anything, and keeping your focus on your job."
Interna_Chaotica
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Forum Posts: 49
Posted: Sat, 05/12/2020 04:24 (3 Years ago)
"You're absolutely sure?" His stance had become more reserved, more obedient even. "If you refuse now, I'll ask you again later. Just know that. I'm not gonna give up until I either get my throat slit or until you agree." A moment of silence. "Maybe that was a bad thing to say I'd not stop until." He tried a half-joking smile, then scratched the back of his neck.
possumboy
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Forum Posts: 221
Posted: Sat, 05/12/2020 04:27 (3 Years ago)
Regina shook her head. "A lot of things have happened to me, and I don't want to talk about it." She was kind of tempted to tell him she'd make good on that throat-slitting, but that would be cruel. "It's better if I just keep this secret."
Interna_Chaotica
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Forum Posts: 49
Posted: Sat, 05/12/2020 04:54 (3 Years ago)
After a moment's hesitation, Tirik spoke. "When I was a boy, my father wanted me to be a knight. But I'd already started looking into apprenticeship with mages. I didn't tell him for a long time. Then, when I finally did, he accepted it. I felt a lot less threatened by the fact I was keeping something from him. I think you should just let it out. Any stories you have need to be told. One day, they'll be songs of glory."
possumboy
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Forum Posts: 221
Posted: Sat, 05/12/2020 05:01 (3 Years ago)
Regina's hand curled into a fist, shaking with anger, looking down at the ground, she said, "So...being the reason that everyone you've ever cared about died an unnatural death, that's a song of glory? I am of the military, Tirik, and I know songs of glory. My story? It's a ballad of shame and regret." Regina's head was swirling. She felt like a time bomb, ready to explode.
Interna_Chaotica
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Forum Posts: 49
Posted: Sat, 05/12/2020 05:15 (3 Years ago)
"General Regina, Head Commander of the Army of Aeraya, look at me. Look at me! And don't even think about trying to take your rage out on me. You know why you feel that rage? Because it's built up! You've let it build up inside of you by keeping your mind bottled away! You tell your story to me, and you do it sitting down. Understand? Do. You. Understand?" The Mage had grown.. Suddenly aggressive, commanding, a polar opposite from earlier.
possumboy
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Posted: Sat, 05/12/2020 05:17 (3 Years ago)
Regina growled. "FINE! I'll tell you. I'll tell you if that will make you leave me alone. Happy?" She glared at him. This would be the hardest thing she'd ever done. "But not here. Not out in the open."