[Jean] Chapter 10: Ceremony

Throndir · January 13, 2019, 05:10:36 PM

You made your way out of the cave, and your tentacle was still there where you left it. It seemed to wave at you, though, it was curious, as the tentacles didn't have any visible eyes to see out of. They were connected to Renenutet in some way as well, as she herself could control them. When you neared, the tentacle morphe its end into what seemed like a chair, and soon enough you were lifted down from the island.

Heading to the priest from there, it didn't take you long to reach him. Renenutet was playing with the slimeling, while Anja was still no where to be found. The priest looked like he was in meditation with his eyes closed. He noticed your presence and called out.

"Already here? After only an hour. Quite commendable." Opening his eyes, he was about to continue until he noticed the egg you were carrying.

"You found that egg. I see... Quite commendable indeed. You would be the first in a couple hundred years of students. Did you find any other eggs? Most students bring the first one they see. And those that know of that particular egg, keep it a secret."

"Master! Welcome back!" Renenutet said eagerly as she used her tentacles to propel herself towards you.

pringerbeam · January 13, 2019, 05:34:22 PM

"Hey Ren, as you can see I survived your absence, looks like you didn't get into any trouble yourself either, and hi... You know I didn't actually get your name before... And nope, didn't find any other eggs, just this one." Jean said as he came up to the priest. "No Anja yet I guess... I hope she's alright." Jean looked down the path that Anja had taken to leave the clearing. "Does anyone ever fail the test? It didn't seem that hard but I have powers that I'm guessing your children would have a hard time replicating." Jean sat down opposite the Priest.

Throndir · January 13, 2019, 09:25:11 PM

"No... Eggs are throughout the island. Hidden enough so that it won't be entirely too obvious where they are, but by simply searching around, a student usually finds one within a few hours." He glanced at the egg next.

"You found that in a cave on the higher island, did you not? Reaching that island unprepared is no small feat... But this test simply underestimated the hero. I'm sure Anja will be here in another hour, she is a bright young girl. Now... To begin the process of imprinting..."

"You are already familiar with mana, yes? Much like when students first cast a spell, you draw it out, and then you will into the egg itself. The stream must be continuous, and done for at least 4 hours. It is a test of both endurance and patience. Two traits required for any teacher, along with raising a newborn chick."

QuoteBoth your Spellcraft and Physical Resist are high enough that even rolling a 1 you still succeed.

pringerbeam · January 13, 2019, 10:09:32 PM

"I see, who hides the eggs? Are they simply left there after each trial until someone manages to find them? You said no one has found this egg for several hundred years. Do these eggs remain viable for that long? It's pretty impressive that you can keep records that long." Asked Jean as he looked at the egg in his hands.
"I'm not totally sure about that technique but I will give it a try. Seems simple enough." Said Jean as he sets the egg in his lap. Putting his hands on either side of the egg and reaching into his mind, he tapped into his mana and envisioned streaming it into the egg.

Throndir · January 14, 2019, 09:59:57 PM

The priest nods.

"The birds who lay them, choose specific places that are out of the way. At times, some of the Bird Keepers will go around to move around eggs. And yes, eggs can remain fertile for a long time, once mana is poured into them, that is when they begin the process of birth. It varies between the eggs... Sometimes a couple days, and sometimes a couple weeks. There are some that can take a few months as well."

"Whenever one of our students finds an egg, we have the record keepers keep track of them as well."

You manage to pour the mana into the egg. An hour later, Anja still hasn't appeared.

QuoteStream must be continuous. But let me know if you want to proceed to the next hour as well. Since these are short posts, I'll bump up the priority for me posting on this set.

pringerbeam · January 15, 2019, 08:00:26 AM

Jean continues to pour mana into the egg.

Throndir · January 15, 2019, 07:24:56 PM

Another hour passed, and Anja hasn't yet appeared. Ren had begun lifting rocks and attempting to juggle them to pass the time. Two more hours remain until the process was complete.

pringerbeam · January 15, 2019, 09:48:24 PM

"Hey uh... It doesn't usually take this long to find an egg does it? Seems like Anja is taking quite a while. The islands are safe right? Like... I haven't seen any dangerous animals but I also haven't left the village before today." Asked Jean as he continued to pour energy into the egg.

Throndir · January 15, 2019, 09:51:07 PM

"The island is safe yes. There are no monsters up here, save for the ones in our head. There are some children who take hours on finding one. But I'm surprised Anja is taking this long as well. However, this is her test..." The priest looked concerned for a moment, but he eventually went back to closing his eyes and meditating.

QuoteWaiting another hour?

pringerbeam · January 15, 2019, 10:10:22 PM

Passing half an hour

Throndir · January 15, 2019, 10:14:15 PM

Half an hour later, there was still no sign of Anja. The remainder of the ceremony would end in another 1.5 hours.

pringerbeam · January 15, 2019, 10:41:35 PM

Jean continued to pour energy into the egg but was getting worried. "So no one has ever died doing this test?"

Throndir · January 15, 2019, 10:49:12 PM

"No... Well, I would have to look into the records to check. But I haven't heard of anything like that for this. There have been cases for one without a bird companion to fall, but those, you can imagine are rare. Other than that, at times there are accidents, but again, any that are more than a broken ankle or arm is rare. Old age is what our people usually succumb to."

QuoteNote specifically if you are moving time forward or not!

pringerbeam · January 15, 2019, 10:52:01 PM

"Is there a time limit?"

Not moving ahead yet

Throndir · January 15, 2019, 10:59:13 PM

"After this ceremony, usually we bring the student with their friends, family, and other peers. Then the entire congregation is treated to a feast to celebrate the child's new companion. Rarely do any students take that long. If they haven't found one by late evening, then they would have failed. However... failure rarely occurs, as only once they are ready, do we, the instructors, allow them to participate."