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Arcane Sculpting Whereas the magi of yore once conjured domes to defend cities, and harnessed pure beams of arcane energy to smite their foes, such potent arts have been lost to the annals of time, whisked away from the world at the fickle whim of the void. Nonetheless, attempts to recover such an art has been the aspiration of many magi since then, seeking once more to harness the esoteric force known as Arcanism to fuel their profound machinations. Such was the work of a small congregation of magi in the realm of Almaris, who in their desire to reattain the great works of Rivel, brought forth an art similar to that which had been lost. This, Arcane Sculpting, was the sculpting of mana to form objects of pure evoked energy, allowing mages to employ the art of "Arcanism" in their artificery’s. Explanation Arcane Sculpting is the process of altering and sculpting liquid mana to create a solid in which can be used to shape into a variety of things. This process enables the magi to form all manner of art, furniture, and even tools and weaponry by means of artificery. Arcane Sculpting requires a valid Transfiguration MA. Arcane Sculpting can be self-taught upon reaching T5 in Transfiguration. While sometimes contending with the likes of the more strenuous abilities to learn within Transfiguration, it doesn’t overreach similar study times to firmly grasp the ability to Sculpt the Arcane. One needs only a firm grasp upon the many concepts of transfiguration before first learning it, enabling one to teach themselves at T5 Transfiguration over the span of at least one IRL week, though likely over the course of multiple lessons. The process can at first be exhausting, though it may become more familiar over time, the ceilings of creation limitless. Altering and Sculpting Liquid Mana The process of altering Liquid Mana is a rather simple but tedious one for that of an experienced Alterationist, able to be done alone, with the aid of a greater source of mana (Obelisk, Tear, etc), or within a group for a greater outcome. Concentration is essential for this process, for should one's attention falter, it would sour the mana, using too much of its resource without completing the transition leaving it almost entirely useless. Its basics consist of utilizing Liquid Mana, whether conjured by the user or procured at an earlier time to fortify its state from a liquid to a solid via the Alter Density spell. Once the solidifying process has begun it is now ready for it to be molded to take the form of the casters will. This process often results in the Arcane Sculpture taking the color of the caster or lead casters’ aura, some finding the sculpture even pulsed this color. As the mana is woven into a solid form, the mage may begin to shape it as they wish, binding it as either Soft or Hard Sculpted Mana as expanded upon below. Soft Sculpting Soft-Sculpted Mana is generally much more malleable and translucent, ideal for basic enchantments or shapes, such as a vase, a hovering light, a musical instrument, or other artistic and aesthetic objects. In most cases It has the general consistency and durability of regular glass, and thus, may be shattered with relative ease, making it less than ideal for combat weight bearing objects. Soft-sculpted mana can appear with fine detail, though any visible “sharp” points would not do much to cause damage even if it was deliberately used to do such, at most only scraping against the skin, resulting in breaking itself. Finally, the process of altering soft Mana can also be elongated to create a liquid form much like its original appearance, capable of being utilized similarly in artistic and aesthetic objects, manipulated to appear thicker or more translucent alike it’s more solid counterpart, though it’s fragility similarly affects it’s inability to be used in any way to cause harm, resulting in it dissipating similarly to were it not first bound upon forming. Soft Sculpting Redlines RP Example [1] Algrimmor’s eyes lit ablaze with blue voidal light as he began to channel forth his ability. [2] The old dwarf waved a marred hand over the bottle of liquid mana, pulling it forth from its rest into action as he weaved and sculpted it into its destiny, the rough shape of a dagger forming before he then focused upon solidifying the Mana in place. [3] With the shape now formed, the surface of the mana bubbled and rippled as it was solidified, soon hardening into what would appear to be a vaguely translucent glass dagger of blue hues, unsuitable for combat, though perhaps a fitting letter opener. Hard Sculpting Hard-Sculpted Mana requires much more effort to perform, and requires multiple mages in a ritual, depending on the size of the project. Mana in this form can be made to take on the texture and durability of steel, making it ideal for Tools and weaponry, along with larger structures. Being as durable as regular steel, hard-sculpted mana can be as heavy as steel too. It is oftentimes less translucent than soft-Sculpted mana, though does glow slightly brighter as well. However, to bind this type of mana to the material world would necessitate greater aids, such as mage-gold or Arcanium, to effectively hold it. These applications of sculpted mana will require ST approval in order to be valid, with objects like swords requiring signing, and larger structures requiring ST approval or potentially an accepted MArt application. Unique Effect The reasoning one might wish to fashion a Hard-Sculpted Mana piece over an Arcanium piece would be the additional utility available to the user through the added purity of a piece pure of mana over what is effectively an alloy in Arcanium. That utility being the added ability to enchant additional lesser enchantments onto the piece alongside the regular single enchantment one would be capable of putting on any item. While an Arcanium enchantment can contain a maximum of one T5 enchantment within itself, the Hard-Sculpted piece would allow for an additional two lesser enchantments, often used for greater utility to suit the creator's needs as opposed to requiring additional items to fill such needs. Hard Sculpting Redlines RP Example [1] Balgrimmor took center stage at the altar, glancing amongst his peers as they prepared for the coming ritual, their eyes upon the item at the center of the altar, a large Arcanium hilt. As each member of the ritual honed their connection, they each began to funnel forth their energies for the main magi to utilize. [2] Beginning to work away, the magi central to the ritual called forth a strong flow of liquid mana, twisting and weaving the excess at their disposal, molding it vaguely into the shape of a blade that originated at the Arcanium hilt. [3] Fatigue began to set in amongst the group as the ritual further heightened, the ghostly blade solidifying slowly with great ripples and bursts of energy, its form hardening and solidifying both to the hilt and to reality itself. [4] Winding down now as the remainder of the gathered energies solidified the blade, those present felt the great weight of their efforts pull at their muscles, a taxing but worthwhile process as they now gazed upon the Arcane Sculpted Blade. General Redlines Purpose and Citations Questions Do you think it is necessary or would enhance RP to add a rolling system similar to Arcanium to this method? Or do you think the requirement of Arcanium as a potential precursor is sufficient? Off the back of the last question, should hard-sculpted items exclusively require Arcanium to have a rolling system included in the process alongside at least a day of exhaustion? Or do you think it should be left open for lesser magi to utilize magegold? Right now despite having example emotes, there isn’t a required number of emotes listed anywhere, do you think there should be? Or in the spirit of free form RP, should it be kept intentionally vague? Although only Lesser Enchantments and almost entirely non-combative in use, do you think two extra on hard sculpted items is too excessive?

The Tale of the Sugondan Tribe. The Sugondans are a subculture that most likely originated from the separation of a group of Orcs, Humans, or a hybrid of the two. The desolate mountains and horrifying terrain was nothing more than a living condition to the descendants of half-orcish kind. The backstory is hazy but it has been told through cave paintings made from the powder of flowers that likely a coalition of shunned half-orcs bonded together to forge the lineage known as the Sugondese. The living conditions and solitudinous lifestyle forced the minds of such descendants to regress to such a state of primal savagery and instinct. The Sugondans are descendants from a group of Half-Orcs that split away from their respective cultures to find freedom elsewhere in Arcas when the races moved from Atlas to Arcas before the Second Age. Due to lack of navigational skills and bad weather they ended up at an area secluded from the other civilizations. They tried to rebuild but due to the harsh environment they ended up in they reverted back to primal instincts and the stone age. Surviving due to their niche trait of instinctual prowess, they had lived in isolation and survived off of the barren lands. After being secluded for many years they ended up losing the need to venture out and look for other civilizations. Went back to only focusing on the bare essentials of food, water, and shelter and became what researchers could call “Cavemen”. Then the Inferi war happened which did not really affect their secluded area. But then the voidal incursions forced them to get on to shoddy driftwood boats and migrate to somewhere else. They ended up landing on Almaris at the beginning of the Second Age and have been there since. Common Traits Larger and more muscular build than average humans and a lot more stocky; Enlarged forehead (Neanderthalic); Lower mental capacity but a higher instinctual ability; Tusks and leathery skin. Skin Coloration Pale human skin coloration due to lack of sunlight in their daily life. Tan coloration is rare only among the seasoned hunters. Darker complexions are rarer than the previous mentioned. The skin tone would be tinted between Human flesh and an “unnatural” Uruk color. Larger tusks are common as well, though not as large as an Uruk’s. Hair Coloration Sugondan hair consists of a wide range of colors from brown to red due to their human heritage. Eye Coloration Eye coloration ranges from different shades of blue due to natural selection of blue eyes benefiting sight in the dark more than other eye colors. Height Height can range from 6’- 8’ feet, the latter in more rarer cases. Due to their diluted heritage the heights among Sugondans can vary. Weight Being on the larger side of the humanoid race, weight can range from 160 on the lighter end to 300 on the heavier end. The larger the Sugondan, the heavier they are. There are rare cases of very thin or overweight Sugondans. History Due to the nature of the race, Sugondan people haven’t kept track of history with books, but rather paintings tattered across the cave dwellings they have constructed. Only a few events are widely known to the Sugondans, one of which being their origin. Listed below. The origin begins with two human-orc hybrids with the names of Su’gon and Sa’con, shunned away from society due to their physical appearance and genetic makeup. This forced the two to live deep into the secluded regions of Atlas, living in the caverns that lay vacant for the most part. A new sub-culture was born. Gathering more of their kind, the outcasts, the shunned, the outsiders. They bred and created a community known as the Sugondans. Culture(s) Language Deeper voice and language that consists of small sentences, grunts, hand gestures, and roars. Society The society that the Sugondan’s follow fit fairly simply with the hunters and gatherers of the paleolithic era. Aiming to go out and hunt and gather, hopping from one place to another; most commonly being caverns of nearby mountains. The social structure of the Sugondan is that of a dominance game. Being rather traditional to anatomy, most of the men of the group stood larger and more powerful than the women, hence making it a more patriarchal society. The leader of the Sugondan’s is most likely the most powerful and leadership is passed down through duels to the death. Fashion A majority of the Sugondan people wear the garbs of prehistoric humans, ranging from simple coverage of the groin and breast, to full on pelts to cover most of the body. But keep note that there is no advanced seamstress work done and any form of proper clothing is most likely one that was stolen. Leadership of Sugonda however feel the need to exemplify their dominance, so they wear the winnings of a hunt, such as the teethed necklaces or the head of a bear as a hat. Religion Being a race with little to no socialization, it is hard for the Sugondans to comprehend a higher power; hence why religion is a grey subject. There are some groups of the Sugondan’s who have felt the need to worship the sun for its ability to grant the beaming rays, or even the water for its sustenance. Nothing official is written for the Sugondan. Festivals The Sugondan people have a great deal of festivals, these are to make up for the lack of vocal socialization. One of the most common festivals being the post-hunt festival, that is where a hunt is completed and the prize is brought to the center of the meeting grounds for the Sugondan’s to feast. The feeding order starts with the most dominant (the leader) and stems downwards through the chain of people, some not getting a chance to feast due to lowness of the ranking, giving some an incentive to become stronger and contribute more. Children however are always granted a portion of the winnings, regardless of the size of the hunt. Another not so common festival is the Coronation of the Leader. Happening every year or so, the Sugondan’s meet at the top of a plateau. The leader then stands in the center and awaits a challenger. If a challenger steps up, it initiates the death battle, where both parties duel to the death for the throne of Sugonda. Military The Sugondan people have no official military. Everyone in the tribe is able and willing to fight for their own kin. Their tactics consist of guerilla warfare and hit and run tactics. When they feel they can take on their opponent they will face them head on. They utilize basic wooden spears with stone tips, clubs, and makeshift bows and arrows. Architecture The Sugondans architecture mostly consists of straw and mud huts placed in no particular order other than in a small area to minimize area needed to be patrolled and watched. Behavior Behavior of this culture is mostly primal and instinctual. Only caring about what is needed to survive. Very territorial and hostile to people that venture into their territory. Hunting, sleeping, and mating are their usual day to day activities. Very basic people when it comes to behavior.