Akrasia

As the old man would awaken within the magnificent forest granted to him by his duty in his life, he would see a familiar 'ker sitting on the ground beside them. He knew not why he was sent here so early... though he was not one to think too deeply about such. He would look at him with a softness in his expression, a man looking to a friend he had truly missed working alongside and spending time with. "There is a lot of fun to be had... you're going to love it here."

Rage, an unimaginable rage, coursed through his soul. ⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☽ ◯ ☾₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆ A venom that razed his mind asunder, twisting ideals beyond any truth. This anger was the only thing that brought warmth to him as he found himself floating in the dark, cold. Drifting in the pool of souls that he hated most, descendant kind did not deserve to be this close to his putrid heart. In this moment, he grasped onto his memories tight as if they might give him a foothold in damnation. A life of a young dark elf, taken in by a community that was not his- one that would not accept him until he saw fit to adopt their culture. Without a home, a family, or the people he loved dearly, he quickly took charge of the first thing he had ever wanted. Soon, he had a family within Arvellon, and with that came a home he could call his own. A time when he loved art and mischief. Leaving glitter bombs at the doors of just about every resident of Nevaehlen. Giving Ilmyumier to those who wished for his art. Becoming friends with a blind elfess and a man whose mind was shattered, they were inseparable. Adventures were to be had, drama to gossip about, nights where the group would stay up late and watch the moon come and go, the stars telling stories of the brave and those forgotten. Next were memories of his niece coming into the world, and though she was not bound to him by blood, she meant a great deal to the 'ker. Wanting to ensure she always had family to turn to, no matter what happened. Though in the later years, relations began to wash away. Family didn't feel like family, and home didn't feel safe anymore. The ones the young druid looked up to seemed to turn their back to save face. Leaving that poor child alone. He wouldn't have it. Visiting her in quiet when she was banished for being a child, one who makes mistakes. Knowing well that if he was caught, he too would suffer punishment. In this time, he still loved art, but mischief and fun were quickly replaced with that same tired feeling he would feel from here on out. He found love around the same time. They were perfect- beautiful like the night sky in which their eyes shone moonlight upon him with a glance. There was comfort and safety within their gaze, so he sought to stay within it whenever he could. Cherishing every moment in their company as if there was never enough time left. They were kind to him, teaching him about his gifts while his family continued to squabble and tear apart. But that didn't matter as long as he was within that moonlight. Soon did they granted him knowledge of a power unfathomable; it came with a price, of course, but it was worth it if it meant being with them. He would never turn his back on his love; he promised such. Many decades would pass, but time didn't warp his immortal skin. Though he grew weak... this power he claimed, tearing his body asunder. He needed a way to stay there... a way to stay present. An old mentor, someone he trusted, someone once burned by the very power he held, had trusted him with immortality renewed. With that, the elf was no longer an elf, but a lich bound to nature for the rest of his pathetic life. Furthermore, a more sacred gift. Though both of these things combined and morphed his mind into something new. That was it; those descendants were the problem. The ones who refused the path of the Aspects. Taking and taking from the land they 'claimed' and it was never theirs. They never gave back. They killed each other, tore down forests, put up stone walls, and built these ugly monuments to their false success, but never did they credit the land and the people who cleaned up after them. There were people in his own order who didnt deserve the gifts bestowed, they were weak... unwilling to grow, such was not natures way. Those who refused power- refused growth would be culled in the end. Only the strong could survive. Those to whom he preached this perspective looked down upon his ideals, or falsely agreed but never acted upon it. His coven, however, he felt agreed with his sentiment, that was his community now, the Order would never change and never will. Rage, an unimaginable rage, coursed through his soul as it was ripped from the song. He would not awake in the forest, but this was his repentance for the ideals he held. His final words, hoping to enlighten all who could listen to them... But he would never know. In that cold stream, he floated through the 'ker would close his eyes, accepting his fate. There were no tears, no remorse... The only thing he regretted was that he could not take more with him. He would remain in that emptiness forever if he had to, clinging to the hope that his love would not forget about him. But then his back felt the soft touch of grass, and the warmth of the sun shining down upon him. The sounds of birds chirping and the wind pushing past the trees caused the field he lay in to come to life and fill his nose with the scent of wildflowers. When those eyes finally opened, and those gray eyes looked up at a sky so beautiful and unimaginable, he could not help but sob. He did not deserve this mercy, but something allowed it. That man picked himself up and wandered forward in a land bathed in warm rays. Seeking out others, perhaps in death he could at least find clarity. ⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☽ ◯ ☾₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆

(I jest) +1 to the lore though, this CA currently is very rough and makes me sad sometimes.

the aspects are like absent parents, they are unconcerned

☽༺𖤐༻☾ A profound sorrow resonated within the Lord as he walked through the forest alone. A crisp apple falling into his hands before it was promptly tossed back up. Those last words practically cursed him, making him reflect on what he cared not to. His saunter coming to a halt as he felt the soil beneath his boot gave way. The druid whom which usually was careful of where he stepped, aware of his surroundings, had kicked over an anthill. He stood there for a few moments, watching the ants attempt to bite through his thick skin to no avail. Ultimately, the being who had not consumed for near a century would crouch down and take a bite of the apple. His eyes lazily gazing over the swarming insects as they attacked him. Was it in their nature? Was it spite that made them act this way? Presenting such ferocity for something that was bound to happen. The 'ker would let out a sigh before placing the apple onto the mound, somehow already deep in the process of rotting, before simply walking away. "Is this what her rest is worth to you? Perhaps in time they'll understand this was necessary for the others to step forward. So blind that they do not see they would have not surged to action otherwise. May her death nourish the others so they may grow stronger, the weak are not fit for this realm..." ☽༺𖤐༻☾

rip sproutlings

So are we bringing back the mods they shot for no reason?

As another missive reached his hands, the druid couldn't help but scowl. All roads seem to lead back to the same handful of people. "How disappointing. I could've sworn in my only conversation with Ichika that she said she is a samurai and politics are not in her purview. A traitor to the Order, her friends, and her word." he spat out with disdain as he set the missive aside. "I can't help but wonder if there is an ounce of shame that riddles that disgusting soul of theirs."

I agree that 2 slot BM needs a rewrite, though this was for a mart I had originally posted ages ago, so I though id post it as an addition instead of letting it rot. I unfortunately do not have the brainpower to offer a full 2 slot rewrite, especially for a magic that deserves a lot of attention if it were to get one.

I had included it anyways as its a bit more flashy and more as a just in case, if its allowed with base tearing then it doesnt have to go through to final (if it makes it that far)

[Art by MaxIsDrawing] [Tier 4-5] [Combative] Scarlet Arrow Harnessing the river of blood that flowers between that of the living, a T4 blood mage may take or create an open wound upon their body and concentrate upon the open flow within their form by redirecting it to their hands. A tell must be emoted - whether it be their fingertips began to turn red with the pressure of blood, red mist beginning to form around their hands, blood from other wounds beginning to trickle or flow towards their hands etc. With enough pressure built within the mage’s hand, a projectile of their own ichor will shoot forth with the strength of a shortbow to any given target. Should the mage be T5, they may opt to add [1] additional emote to charge up their Arrow and fire with the the strength of a longbow instead. The tells related to this version of the spell should be amplified - their hands and arms beginning to turn red, red mist beginning to seep off their entire body, etc. The Scarlet Arrow will continue forth unless stopped by an obstacle or target, splattering in a mess of genus-less blood. If they are disturbed during their emotes via breaking their focus, head trauma, etc, the count of genus is still sacrificed and the spell is not fired. A T4 Scarlet Arrow may not damage a shield, however a T5 Scarlet arrow may heavily dent it. A T4 Scarlet Arrow is capable of piercing leather and or medium armour, however a T5 Scarlet Arrow is capable of piercing plate armour within [14] blocks, and anything beyond [14] blocks deals concussive damage capable of creating major bruising, akin to a harsh shove even through armour. Example emotes would be as follows: [!] (In this scenario, the blood mage is already wounded / has an open wound, therefore does not need to create a new one.) [!] Hemomancer clasps their hands together, as streams of blood begin to trickle and flow towards their palms, from another cut elsewhere on their form. [Charge] [!] A sudden burst of blood surges forth from their fingertips, in an attempt to shoot at the foe in front of them. [Cast] REDLINES Requires line of sight. Cannot use someone else’s body, blood or genus to cast Scarlet Arrow - the blood and genus must come from the casting mage. Scarlet Arrow requires [1] count of genus and [2] emote counts if already possessing an open wound, or [3] emotes without. Scarlet Arrow must be cast through the hands, and cannot be shot out of any other part of the body. T4 Scarlet Arrow may be fired [2] times per count of genus. T5 Scarlet Arrow may be fired [1] time per count of genus. When charging T4 Scarlet Arrow, movement is reduced to [4] blocks. When charging T5 Scarlet Arrow, movement is cut in half to [2] blocks. Must have two slots in Blood Magic to utilize. [Tier 5] [Combative] Scarlet Gleam Taking the knowledge of the lesser Arrow, a T5 blood mage may draw forth a stream of their own ichor from their hands much like a laser. The force of the expulsion keeps the mage in one place, lest they attempt to and immediately falter under the sheer recoil, ruining their focus and causing the Scarlet Gleam to run stray - striking and slicing through the mage’s surroundings before ceasing. A tell must be emoted - whether it be their fingertips began to turn red with the pressure of blood, red mist beginning to form around their hands, blood from other wounds beginning to trickle or flow towards their hands etc. The force of the Gleam would be comparable to that of a powerful firehose, able to focus on [1] target to keep them stationary just like the mage themselves. Only creatures of Olog-strength and up would be able to move against the full force of the Gleam, while anything under would be forced to halt where they were - pinned by the force of the blood that splattered against their form. Alternatively, the mage may choose to move the focal point of the Gleam, causing a redirecting slashing motion to occur. If the point of focus crosses a surface or obstacle, it may result in cuts to said surface or unarmored foe. Should the mage choose to keep the focus further, the Gleam may redirect itself to other targets which are between a point and the mage in a given direction, akin to being swept by a wave of water with the strength of a harsh shove. Similarly, creatures of Olog-strength and up would be able to withstand the redirection and not be pushed away. Emotes would be as follows: [!] Hemomancer brings a knife to their hand, slicing against the flesh to create a clean wound. [Connection] [!] Hemomancer brings their hands together as their fingertips begin to turn a deep red, just like blood - lifting them up against their chest. [Charge] [!] A beam of ichor rips through the air from their hands, shooting forth in a continuous stream of blood. [Cast] [!] With a struggle, the Hemomancer swept their arms as the beam followed through, attempting to slice at their foe. [Casting] [!] As the Gleam redirects itself, it cuts through the unarmoured flesh with ease whilst scratching the surface of the rest of the plate armour. [Casting] REDLINES Cannot use someone else’s body, blood or genus to cast Scarlet Gleam - the blood and genus must come from the casting mage. The casting mage is unable to move while casting Scarlet Gleam Scarlet Gleam requires [2] count of genus and [2] emote counts if already possessing an open wound, or [3] emotes without. Scarlet Gleam must be cast through the hands, and cannot be shot out of any other part of the body. Scarlet Gleam may be fired [1] time per counts of genus. Scarlet Gleam may be sustained for [2] emotes after casting. Scarlet Gleam may be sustained for [1] emote longer by sacrificing [1] additional count of genus. Anything olog-sized and more would have their movement halved if pinned. This means [2] blocks per movement and action, or [4] blocks of pure movement. Anything olog-sized and more would not be totally swept away and able to withstand the force of the Gleam. The cuts caused by the Gleam may only cut through leather, at the most. Anything above leather-strength will have minor damage. The redirection may be mitigated by some form of physical protection, such as a shield, but the individual would still be moved from their original position to some degree. The Gleam itself has a maximum range of [12] blocks in length, and [1] block in width. Must have two slots in Blood Magic to utilize. [Tier 4] [Combative] Splitting An aesthetic choice for those who are practitioners of this esoteric art, a T4 blood mage may manipulate the other’s genus and their blood to rip out of them much like the streams and lasers of blood of the projectile-esque spells as a flavourful execution like that of Tearing. The rays of blood shred and slice through flesh like a knife through butter, rending the body into crude cut-up pieces as the blood shoots up in random directions, painting whatever surface they splatter against until there is no more ichor to spill. REDLINES Follows all redlines to Tearing. Tearing requires at least [3]-[4] emotes. Tearing requires OOC consent from the victim where they accept that their character has no avenue for escape and can no longer resist and must be performed after battle which has already spilled blood and exhausted the individual. Tearing does NOT necessitate a PK. Tearing cannot be used in any other situation unless specifically allowed by ST during an event. Due to the nature of the implied graphic descriptions the blood mage player must confirm with their victim and those around them that they are comfortable with horror and gore writing and to otherwise keep descriptions to a PG-13 standard as to adhere to server rules and guidelines. Must have two slots in Blood Magic to utilize. OOC Footnote/Reasoning: