[Carrie] Chapter 2: Into the New World

[Erynn]

As Carrie walks into the underground training facility, the first thing to catch her eye is the racks of very medieval weapons lining the walls of the room. Instantly, Carrie realizes that the weapons in the room likely represent the technological level at which warfare occurs in this new world. She takes a moment to attempt to place the general time period of the technology present with respect to her own world. (Knowledge Martial)

Rolled 1d20+10 : 5 + 10, total 15

Carrie listens intently and watches as Synithise demonstrates. The glow forming in between the priestess' hands surprises her, having never seen anything like it. She was only convinced that magic was more than smoke and mirrors though when she saw the ball of fire rise into the air casting off light and heat. Instantly, Carrie began to suspect that warfare in this new world was nothing like she had ever experienced.

"Well,........... this changes things.", Carrie comments with mild shock, "My world doesn't have any equivalent to that. Okay, lets see what I can do."

Carrie first thinks of an effect that she wants to produce. The first thing that comes to mind is the shape of a giant, purple spider with blades for legs. The mental image gives her an idea though, and Carrie begins to reason through how to create the effect in question. She chooses the air element, hoping that it would let her create the pressure waves required to produce a damaging sonic effect, and comes up with a basic keyword that would state in no uncertain terms what the end goal of the spell would be. Carrie then closes her eyes and looks within as instructed. She finds that her mental image is that of a well, and imagines the fluid within running out through a sort of aqueduct toward her hands.

She then opens her eyes to choose one of the rocks and begins speaking, hoping that removing her attention partially from the glow in her hands wouldn't cause it to dissipate.

"Winds of change......... scream like the banshee.......... and shatter!"

Carrie doesn't expect much to happen the first time around but is hoping to see a cone of space in front of her become filled with dust and chipped rock affected by the vibrating air.

[Throndir]

Knowledge (martial): 15
Judging from the weapons on the racks, they were all medieval weapons. However, you noticed some weapons that looked a bit more exotic and foreign to you. It wasn't just the regular european style of weaponry, there were weapons that looked like giant scythes, weapons that were oversized, weapons that looked like chakrams. There were an array of bows and crossbows as well. At the very least, it seemed to you that the fighting in this world was medieval.

Since we have multiple people attempting to do sound-based magic through Elemental magicka, I went ahead and added the element of Sound, as a solo combination of just air. It'll be Tier 2 requirement, to reflect the difficulty of using elemental magicka as more than evocation. This will probably be cheaper and easier to cast using Hymnal magicka.

Name: Shatter
Tier: 2
Magicka: Sound: Air
Base MP: 2 (sound element) +2 (cone area) +1 (sonic damage vs physical resist) = 5
Max MP (Range Overcharge): 2 (sound element) +2 (cone area) +6 (sonic damage vs physical resist x6) +0 (range) = 10
Max MP (Dmg Overcharge): 2 (sound element) +2 (cone area) +1 (sonic damage vs physical resist) +2 (range 40 ft) +1 (range 30 ft) +3 (range 20 ft x3) = 11
Spell Base: Cone
Spell Effects: Sonic Damage vs Physical Resist, Range
Description: Sonic damage in cone area in front of caster.
Incantation: Winds of change......... scream like the banshee.......... and shatter!

The spell triggered then, and the training dummies were visibly damaged from the attack.

"Amazing! That was Air magicka... You did it on your first try too. But you managed to make it into something like sound? Doing something like that is considered high level too..." Synithise said nodding approvingly. "That's another proof that you are indeed the hero, Carrie!"

Heroes get some free Techniques, including Elemental Magicka, Elemental Forms, Elemental Fusion Expert. NPCs don't, which means they need to train for this. Since they do not have Quick Learner, they take much longer in training than heroes.

If you really want, you can define the rest of your free spell slots, or save it til later when the need arises. You can cas up to Tier 3 spells, you just need to learn a Tier 3 spell though.

"I wanted to spend this day teaching you how to fight... But..." She glanced at the weapons you carried with you. "If you can fight with what you have, I guess that's already useful..." The snake lady reached out to grab a spear.

"I could teach you to use these too though? Or... I could try teaching you some of the spells I know. I can cast up to the third tier of magic! And I'm pretty handy with most of these weapons."

[Erynn]

As the dust settles, Carrie reaches an important conclusion regarding the nature of warfare in this new world. Given the medieval technology, it was becoming very clear very quickly that a single spellcaster had the capacity to eliminate multiple foot soldiers from combat in short order. In short, spellcasters appeared capable of affecting a battlefield much like modern artillery or air power. Carrie makes a mental note to work this realization into any tactical playbook for engaging enemy forces.

Carrie then explains the predicament she currently found herself in where her firearms were concerned to Synithise.

"Well, these weapons are certainly potent, but the issue is that their ammunition is limited.", she elaborates, gesturing toward the weapon racks on the wall, "If weapons like these are representative of what I'd expect to see on a battlefield here, I find it highly unlikely that it's possible to reload the magazines I brought with me. Put simply, if I run out of bullets, these weapons cease to function. I'm going to need to be prepared to use other weaponry both to preserve the ammunition I have, and to fall back on once I do run out. There is still something I want to try though before we get into basic weapons drills."

Carrie once more visualizes drawing out mana to her hands, now with significantly greater confidence in what she was doing given that she now knew she wasn't going to look like a fool. She thinks of another desired effect, this time not of a damaging nature. and composes another incantation that she thinks might just serve her plans in a more long term capacity.

"Mother Earth, grant us the aid of your primordial children! Elemental!"

Carrie was hoping to bring forth an elementally attuned being that would be able to assist with excavation and tunneling. She had no idea how effective the spell might be, but she couldn't help but be curious as to the upper limit of what she could do with it.

[Throndir]

"Ammunition... So it works like a crossbow or bow then."

When you began casting the spell, you had the general idea of what you were going for, however, when you recited the words in your head, the spell did not hold and fizzled out.

"Ah... A summoning spell of some sort? Those are difficult... What happens is that you create their physical body here, then through the spell, they are summoned into being and fill that container. Magical runes are usually done to do such things... I can teach you that though, if you would like. We'd need to learn the basics of runes and magic circles... Then, teaching you to draw it with mana after."

Currently I have all summoning spells have a Runes spell base, but that requires training, the track Synithise can teach is:

Magicka Circles (unlocks Runes spell base) -> Mana Magicka Circles (able to cast within a full round)

For the time being I placed the spell in your sheet as unlearned.

[Erynn]

"It's a very different process propelling the ammunition than with a bow or crossbow.", Carrie explains, "While a bow or crossbow fires an arrow with a springing effect, the weapons I carry make use of a chemical reaction to fire their projectiles. the end goal of putting a projectile through a target is the same, one method just does a better job of it."

Carrie then listened intently as Synithise explained the reason the attempt at casting the spell in question had failed. She decided that as far as magic goes, learning the spell that she had been trying to cast would be the best use of her time toward implementing her plans.

"All right then. It looks like today will be best spent on rune magic and learning a new language.", Carrie informs Synithise, then inquiring, "Of course there's also the matter of calling a gathering of as many tribe leaders as possible in the near future so that leadership can be decided upon. Has the ball started rolling on that course of action yet, or do we need to plan a bit more for that first?"

As eager as Carrie was to learn new things, especially languages, the most important thing on her mind at the moment was to centralize leadership among the many different tribes that lived in Darmona. Once there was some form of central authority supported by the many triebes, organized action would begin to become possible. Before then, changing much of anything in Darmona would be extremely difficult.

[Throndir]

"I've sent forth some messengers to the nearest clan leaders... Our tunnels belong to a forest, which is one of the reasons why it's been harder for the Felencorp to realize that we're here... The forest themselves have members of dullahan tribe and batfolk tribe. The two clan leaders want to meet with you later today... Apart from that, our messengers are still on their way to meet up with other nearby clean leaders. Those within a 3 day journey will be notified, with a meeting prepared a week from now."

"Apart from the clan leaders in our forest... None of the other ones we're telling that a hero had been summoned. Our forest is a bit isolated from the rest, but it's not true for the other tribes."

After she had explained that, Synithise quickly disappeared to grab some books, along with some materials.

"This book has many runes... Though when it comes to magic, the runes themselves need to signify something important or special. For example... runes between two different mages from two different countries and languages, might look totally different, but produce the same effect. Anyways... First is to teach you the runes, and the proper placement of them." She held up what looked to be chalk, then handed you a long stick of it.

"First, we'll teach you the runes themselves... But we'll have to teach you how to draw them with mana too, since... unless you have a lot of time to prepare, it's not very useful to start drawing a circle with runes in the middle of a swordfight..."

Roll a number of Training check(s). That's a 1d20+5 (Stats!D27 on your character sheet)

You have 8 hours of free training a day that have no drawbacks. Training for more than 8 hours a day, you will have to roll a Constitution check, failure applies Fatigue -> Exhausted, along with nonlethal damage.

Choices:
Regular Training: 4 hours
Expedited Training: 2 hours (but +4 DC)

Attempting to learn:
Magicka Circles
Learn DC: 12
Required Success: 6 -2 (Greater Mana Sensitivity) = 4

[Erynn]

"All right, that's good to hear.", Carrie responds to the news, "Keeping the relevant information within the forest, for the time being, is a solid decision. One week from now is excellent."

Carrie takes a moment to express a continuing form of mild shock at the prospect of meeting the subject of myth and legend in Irish culture.

"When I first came here, the last thing I ever expected was to meet a Dullahan.", Carrie admitted, "This world seems to be a place where the legends of mine come to life."

When Synithise returns, Carrie accepts the long stick of chalk and immediately inquires about what she had just heard about the appearance of runes.

"In other words, every spellcaster's runes are unique?", she asks pointedly, "I'll have to be sure I don't leave any lying around if so. The presence of runes would certainly be less likely to give away the hand of a summoned hero in an event or incident though...."

Regardless of the answer, Carrie would proceed with the magic lesson, followed by a lesson in Felencorp's language.

(Magicka Circles, expedited training x2)

Rolled 1d20+5 : 14 + 5, total 19

Rolled 1d20+5 : 7 + 5, total 12

(New Language, expedited training x2)

Rolled 1d20+5 : 6 + 5, total 11

Rolled 1d20+5 : 11 + 5, total 16

Carrie is going to try to make Cuban sandwiches for both herself and Synithise for lunch in between the training sessions. We can roleplay that out based on how the skill check goes. Carrie's totally average at cooking despite the fact that she enjoys it, so this could be an interesting situation! lol

(Profession, cook)

Rolled 1d20 : 18, total 18

[Throndir]

"Magic runs between casters aren't necessarily different... It more depends on their own background and teaching. For example, an ancient rune from the kingdom of Darmona..." Synithise explained as she took the chalk and began to scribble something on the parchment of paper.

She started drawing a foreign character to you, but eventually, once it was completed, you somehow knew it said 'Fire'.

"If I take this particular rune, and show it to anyone else from present day Darmona, unless they've studied runes or the ancient languages, they wouldn't know that this means 'fire'."

"I could... if I wanted, use the present day word for 'Fire', but the effect isn't powerful, and sometimes, it's weak enough of a symbolic meaning, that a spell doesn't use it anyways. It might be due to the fact older languages are closer to the origin of the concept, or perhaps something with the goddesses preferring the ancient languages... But regardless of the reason, we're not entirely sure why or how that is... but it's just how the magic works anyways."

"Let's start with the basics though! I'll show you each of the runes I know, and once you have a good grasp of each one, I'll have you try creating a magicka circle."

Another note, as long as you have an instructor, they too can aid you in your training. The instructor/mentor will then roll a Training check, and if they succeed the DC, you will get another RS (Required Success).

Trainings
Magicka Circles (DC: 12, RS: 6): 2/6
Language (New Felothian, DC: 15, RS: 8): 0/8

The below are just fluff RP descriptions, but doesn't really play a role in mechanics.

You first began learning the runes, and after you got a couple of them down, Synithise began explaining magicka circles themselves. From her explanation, she had described the various components that made up a magicka circle. Including the sub-magicka circles within each circle too, which should correspond with how the spell should be formed. In the example of summoning an earth elemental, Synithise explained that there would be one large magicka circle, with runes explaining the entirety of the spell. After that, there are sub-magicka circles within it, that each describe a component of the spell itself. In the example, one component would have been Earth, another component would have been Calling or Summoning, yet another component would have been Life. Each of these components would then be another smaller circle within the larger one, with smaller runes in each of those depicting their purpose.


Location: New World - Lamia Priestess Tunnels - Kitchen
Date: Day 2 - Before 5 PM

Treating this as Craft (food), rather than Profession (chef) due to higher modifier. Instead of going 'by feel' (wis), your kind of cooking is more centric on following a precise recipe (int).

Craft (food): 23
When Synithise showed you their kitchen and food storage, you began preparing a sandwhich. Whether or not it was the quality of the ingredients, or perhaps something to do with the heroic summoning, you managed to make a really good Cuban sandwhich.

At that moment when added the final thing to the sandwich, the familiar green translucent window appeared.

You have gained a title『Chef』
You have gained +1 WIS

Synithise, who was watching you prepare it, began to salivate.

"Are they done? Is it done? That looks really good..."

[Erynn]

"Yep!", Carrie replies, handing Synithise a small plate bearing one of the two sandwiches before taking a bite out of her own, "I learned this recipe from......"

The direction that the conversation had taken suddenly turned Carrie's mood from upbeat and enthusiastic to distinctly grief-stricken as she remembered where the friend who had taught her the recipe she had just prepared for Synithise had last been posted: 1st training Battalion, Paris Island. She hadn't had time to think about it while she had been fighting the creatures that had attacked, but she realized now that she could pinpoint the moment in time where his death had been confirmed. She hesitated for several long moments before taking another bite.

Carrie distinctly remembered that she had wanted to do something to help the beleaguered 1st battalion, but that by the time her plan of action had gone into effect they had already been overrun. She couldn't help but wonder now, after the fact, whether or not pushing the trip across the base just a little faster might have made a greater difference. Even if the creatures' presence had been some cosmic mistake, Carrie couldn't shake the thought that in the end, all she could do for the Marines at Paris Island had been to ensure that their enemies likewise didn't leave the battlefield alive. The subsequent revelation that half of the planet's population had perished certainly didn't help Carrie's state of mind.

Her mind continued to go in circles second guessing every choice she had made. If she had done this differently here.......... taken along that person there, been a little more accurate, or took decisive action a little bit quicker........ Carrie knew that hidsight was 20/20, but no matter how many times she told herself that, she couldn't get rid of the sense of guilt that she was feeling in that moment. She had given it everything she had, but her best hadn't been good enough.

The thoughts winding their way through Carrie's mind weren't leaving her with much of an appetite, but she found herself enjoying the sandwich anyway. The recipe now seemed to her almost as if it were a parting gift.

[Throndir]

Location: New World - Lamia Priestess Tunnels - Kitchen
Date: Day 2 - Before 5 PM

Earned a heroic action point.

You didn't finish what you were saying from where you learned the recipe from, but when Synithise saw you eat the sandwhich, though a bit mellow, she took that as permission to enjoy the sandwhich herself.

Normally, Synithise would have gorged herself on the foodstuff, but this time the Lamia Priestess matriarch enjoyed the food slowly, her eyes roaming over to you, and staring at you cautiously.

With one hand on the sandwhich, eating it, she placed another hand on your shoulder.

"Carrie... Is everything okay?" She asked.



Location: New World - Lamia Priestess Tunnels
Date: Day 2 - 5:00 PM

"Hero Carrie! Matriarch!" One of the guards said going into the room you were both in.

"The clean heads from the Dullahan and Batfolk clan are here... They're waiting near the entrance of our tunnels, in the meeting room."

State any preparations you might want to do before then, along with what clothing you might be using, or gear/equipment/weapons.

[Erynn]

Carrie took a few moments before she answered, the finality of the words she was about to speak truly sinking in for the first time.

"The person who taught me this recipe is dead.", Carrie answered plainly, an emotional numbness apparent in her voice that was followed by another long pause, then, "A great many people I knew are dead. My entire platoon of recruits..........they're all gone. I've lost people in combat before, but never the whole unit, much less a unit of recruits."

Carrie's gaze remained directed downward, toward the sandwich in her hand, as she remembered the various faces of the Marines she had served with over the years, as well as those of the young recruits she would have been training at the moment,  had Paris Island not been attacked. One face stuck in her mind, causing Carrie to experience a sudden wave of guilt and despair. The face of the recruit she had instructed to lead their platoon-mates toward the position of another Drill instructor during the attack now haunted Carrie. Thinking back on that decision, Carrie began to imagine the terror and confusion that being left in charge in her Drill Instructor's absence must have caused. As proud as the young women that had risen to the occasion to fight alongside her had made Carrie, she couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility for the loss of their lives as well as heart wrenching guilt over having left them to essentially fend for themselves in the middle of such a clusterfuck, even if she knew that the course of action she had chosen was logically the best option for everyone.

Carrie was broken out of her thoughts, however, by the voice of one of the guards announcing the arrival of the two clan heads that had been expected.

"Well, we had best not keep them waiting.", Carrie responds, quickly finishing off her Cuban sandwich, "If I had been thinking when I came here, I would have brought my Dress Blues. Oh well. The standard uniform will have to do."

Carrie will be appearing in her standard utility uniform, given that it's currently the only outfit she has to her name and will make clear she's not from this world. She will also have her sidearm on her hip as usual along with her Ka-bar holstered on the opposite hip.