Unwitting Discovery (Navarog and Ashendale)

[Brenton]

((Sorry Quetzal for skipping you. I want to get this up while it is fresh in my memory.))

Arathale was forced to look up by Navarog and prepared to attack when he felt the power of someone surge through him and suddenly the bipedal form was forced upon him. Without haste he had his sword drawn and leveled at Navarog but stayed his hand as Camarat spoke. Camarat, I apologize to no one if they have not earned the respect. When I entered what besieged my eyes was a person who I last knew as a monster facing a Nether shade and drawing in dark powers. A little girl was there and I had no time for second guessing my instincts. Navarog had multiple chances to explain the situation after I made it clear I was doing what I deemed appropriate and instead left me to die against Ashendale. After I dispatched him I gave Navarog further chance to prove he was changed but he threatened me and belittled me. A lesser man would have ended his life over those remarks but I still tried for diplomacy while maintaining caution. You cannot tell me my actions were wrong simply because you weren't here to defend the village when Ashendale arrived. I was and I take that job seriously. If Navarog had been truly repentant for his behavior then why did he shy away when requested to show someone who fought Nelfarion that he was a different person? Camarat out of respect for you I stay my attack now but that is all he deserves until I get my evidence to put my mind at ease.

[Quetzal]

((I'm assuming they've all moved outside now because mountains are about 2000 feet tall and if Arathale's that big a small dungeon is hardly going to accommodate that))

Farria knew mental communication had risks, but she was more afraid of using magic than people invading her mind. It seemed highly unlikely anyone would want to try taking over a seven-year-old girl, and she had a sense of immortality most children did. Magic was scarier, a realer threat to her and people around her. She had already seen herself use it today, that was proof enough. Besides, speaking aloud was repulsive to her. Not when other people did it, just the thought of doing it herself.

She didn't think Arathale was evil either, she didn't know where he got that idea. She thought he was on the good side, but that he was being a total idiot. Even she could see he was being hasty and desperately needed to learn to think before he acted, and she was about a hundred times younger than him. She withdrew her mind, reinforced its barriers, and glared sullenly at Arathale, bristling with rage.

She had seen enough to not even blink at Arathale getting so worked up he turned into a dragon. In fact, she rolled her eyes. For goodness' sake. There was a time to fight, and a time not to. Obviously fighting to defend yourself and what you cared about was important. This wasn't what was happening now, though, Arathale was just trying to pick a fight when it was obvious Navarog desperately didn't want one.

It was a huge relief when Camarat arrived to diffuse the tension. Her hand had been in Sheratan's fur as she desperately plotted any way to stop them fighting. She didn't know Camarat, but he was old and old people knew lots. She believed what he said a lot easier than other adults. Not only did Navarog not want to fight, something bad would happen if he turned into his dragon form. There was still not much she could do so she continued to watch, ready to do something should the opportunity arise. She wanted to help but didn't want to get in the way and male things worse.

[Aelodil]

Navarog's eyes seethed with barely contained rage. "You contradict yourself, Arathale. You said at first that I should protect the innocent, true. What you didn't say was I should protect you. I have no duty to protect you. The moment you first murdered was the moment that you were no longer innocent. Whether you did it intentionally or unintentionally, for just cause or for an unjust cause, doesn't matter. Murder is murder no matter what you say or think. Therefore, I did my duty. You -" Navarog started before being interrupted.

Moving one foot forward, Camarat was suddenly in the middle of the two as his foot hit the ground and placed a pacifying hand on Navarog's shoulder, letting his emotions flow to him, stopping Navarog's hate. Looking up and sighing, he said, "Arathale, there is no place for people like us to be clouded by emotions of hate, anger, rage, and blood lust. There is only peace, calm, and serenity. There is no passion, there is only compassion. I thought I had taught you all about it. Forget your training as a warrior. This age needs warriors who can think unlike any warrior. This age needs warriors who can think calmly. So think calmly Arathale, and make the right decision here. Navarog had plenty chances to murder innocents, as well as you or maybe myself even. Yet he hasn't. So choose your decision, but make sure you do not regret it."

Finishing, Camarat turned to Arathale and grabbed his blade with his bare right hand. He held onto it tightly, allowing his magic to flow into his arm to heal it. He may not have the same physical prowess as Arathale but thanks to the magic he worked on his body at all times he was easily more than an equivalent to even a Kull in strength. Drip went the sound of his blood as it splashed on the plants below them. They were riled by his blood. Growing more and more. Camarat stared Arathale dead in the eye. If he wanted to fight Navarog then he would have to fight him. After all, it's not always about evidence. Sometimes you need to be able to put 2 and 2 together and come out with 4. Whether Arathale would learn that in time or if he would decide to try to kill his old friend Camarat was up to him entirely.

When you die, your world ends. The world may go on, but in your eyes, the world ends with you.

-Carpe Diem

[Brenton]

Arathale glared at Navarog and spoke simply towards the man who stood before him. True it may be that I am not innocent in the eyes of the monster. Yet at the same time I am always going to be revered by those I defended and saved when I killed evil beings like Nelfarion was. My name will be legendary and my feats sung in ballads long after I fade from existence to become one with nature. What will you get? While you live it will be carefully guarded suspicion accompanied by slightly tainted malevolent hatred. When you pass songs will be sang about the evils you have done and people will fear your name. Even Navarog will become a tool for parents trying to frighten their unruly whelps into behaving. You may have changed but I am not the only one who will forever distrust you. The only difference is that I am one of the few capable of ending your threat now whereas no one else can stand up to you.

Suddenly Camarat was between the two of them and speaking about how he should have seen all of the signs to righteousness. With a snarl, Arathale pointed at the girl and spoke to his old friend slowly. Ashendale passed thousands like her in this village and even stood mere feet from this child when in front of Navarog. Yet they all survived. Are you going to tell me that Ashendale was also changed even though he clearly had used his dark magic and was getting ready for battle? Camarat, in a perfect world it would be possible to make judgment calls and not have heavy prices to pay for mistakes. This world is unforgiving and one wrong choice can lead to mass genocide of Alagaesia. So next time make sure that your prison not only contains your captive but keeps his known accomplices out. And if you think by grabbing my sword you make a point then you are wrong. Wizards are inherently focused upon knowledge and therefore you should be able to tell that if I chose, I could kill you now.

Pulling his sword from Camarat's grip, Arathale placed the tip level for a second against the old Wizard's chest. With a simple movement he sheathed the weapon and spoke again. Camarat I can't look past his atrocities as easily as you can. The last person I did that for was my own brother and we all know that he turned to the Empire. No I don't track him down but even my blood would get the same choices as Navarog did. It is just how it must be to stay true to my beliefs. If you say Navarog is changed and means no harm then why do you both refuse to give any form of proof towards your claims? He would have to do it in a trial so look at it this way. This is the trial of Navarog, formerly known as Nelfarion. He is charged with treason, use of the dark magic, destruction, murder, and genocide. I stand as judge and executioner and you stand as witness to his rebirth. Now for one as technically minded you know there is no way to argue with that and keep him alive. All I request is he attempt to at least show he is not a threat to Alagaesia anymore.

[Quetzal]

((Skip me for now, I considered some Farria development but this thread is more about Navarog and I'm not active enough right now. Just assume Farria and Sheratan are watching awkwardly, not feeling it appropriate to stay or leave.))

[Aelodil]

Navarog sneered at Arathale and spat to the side. "You think I care about that? Songs will be sung about you, blah, blah, blah. People will sing about me being a crazy lunatic, blah, blah, blah. Do you think I care? To hell with the world and what they think. I am who I am. Anyone that tries to change me - good luck to them. My name is Navarog. I am a Wizard. I am me. Whether people like it or not, deal with it. I'd rather be feared as a monster than be you just so people will sing about my good deeds. I mean look at you. You're basically saying, 'Look at me and my pompousness!' Well let me hint you bud; I don't care." he said, eyes glistening dangerously.

Camarat shook his head sadly. All his words fell on deaf ears. He had thought Arathale changed. Perhaps he had. But not significantly enough. "Ashendale was here for Navarog. He was not here for those people. Through his eyes, it was a matter of walking among ants. Why bother going out of your way to crush an ant? If Navarog was truly still evil, then those 'ants' would be what he wants to destroy and he would have done it as soon as he was free. Plus, if you truly believe that I would let someone begin the mass genocide of Alagaesia then you are quite mistaken my friend. You seem to have forgotten what allowed me to live throughout all these years." he told Arathale. He wasn't petty to start flexing his strength, but he wanted Arathale to notice the hint and drop the case.

Grimacing, not in pain, but at the blood that poured from his hand as Arathale pulled the sword, slicing his hand and fingers again, letting more blood stream down, he watched as blue magic played along his body and sewed it together without him saying a word. Looking Arathale in the eye with a dangerous glint in his eye he said, "If killing me was that easy, Arathale, I would have died years ago. I am no fool to throw my life away or put myself in danger without a sure way to keep me safe. Besides, you should be careful what you say. Some other, less pleasant people, might take it as a threat. Not that I will, but just something to keep in mind. Also, by whose power do you place yourself judge and executioner? You have no power to make such a claim. In addition, if you had been listening you would've known by now he cannot turn into a dragon anymore." by now upset with how Arathale was acting.

Now it was Navarog's turn as he placed a pacifying hand on Camarat's shoulder and stepped forward. Holding Arathale's forehead in a hand, Navarog relayed the memories of his fights with the Shades as he controlled them one by one. He didn't bother to explain. Removing his hand, he stood back and glared at Arathale, the hate in him obvious. It literally emitted off of his body in a wavy red aura of malevolence. "I am violent by nature. Much the same as you. The difference being you are an idealist. I am not. I've witnessed enough things to change that. In one manner we are the same. In the other, polar opposites." he told the man, not bothering to hide his hate for him. If this didn't convince him, he wouldn't give it another thought and simply walk away.

When you die, your world ends. The world may go on, but in your eyes, the world ends with you.

-Carpe Diem

[Brenton]

Arathale was growing tired of listening to Camarat defend that which he truly believed was still a threat to society at large. Yet when Navarog walked up and showed him memories of each of the Shades being beaten and controlled, Arathale stopped. He slowly went through the past several minutes and realized that Navarog really couldn't take his dragon form anymore just like a Wizard. Finally, the dragon spirit bowed his head a minuscule amount and spoke haltingly to the two figures before him.

I still will never fully trust you the way I do Camarat or any other Wizard or Dragon Spirit. Yet, Navarog, you are changed enough to not be considered evil anymore and therefore I apologize for my actions towards you. Although, being an idealist is better than a pessimist. I will gladly accept you calling me that since I hold to my ideals and it takes a lot to sway my mind.

Turning ever so slightly to Camarat, Arathale continued the conversation mentally. Camarat, you seem to have much faith that I would reach this decision but doubt my ability to carry out any threats. Yes, you are strong and powerful with magic and therefore would make it difficult but I am still capable of killing you if it were to ever come down to that. But that isn't why I am making this private. Camarat I need your help. You said the world needs warriors different from what I am. To achieve that I need to be a Wizard. Help me forsake my transformation and become wiser like you are.

[Aelodil]

Navarog snorted. About time this stubborn man accepted it. Turning to Camarat, he asked, "I do hope you brought something for me to wear that's not nearly as horrid looking as this. I'd very much prefer if it was a robe with a deep set cowl to shadow my face. If possible, I don't want anyone who might recognize me see my face." crossing his arms across his chest.

Camarat nodded and tossed a completely black robe with a deep set cowl. "That's what I figured. If it had been a Wizard and Dragon Spirit other than Arathale and I you would have been dead by now. As it were, go to Uru'Baen. I'll figure out something you can help me with. Perhaps you can be my grunt or something.. hmm, I rather like that idea." Camarat said, smiling, only half joking.

Grunting, Navarog acknowledged the new clothes with a nod of the head. Donning it and bringing the cowl deep above so it would shadow his face and the features there, he moved, going away, in Arathale's direction to Uru'baen. Before he passed however, he planted a fist on the Dragon Spirit's chest without any real force behind it. "You take care of yourself. You're a good man. Just make sure you don't get too carried away with your strength. Camarat is really scary when he gets angry. Not that I think he will get angry, but thought you could use a heads up with that hotheadedness." he whispered, so softly it was just barely audible for himself and Arathale. With that, he continued on his way, out into the sun once again.

Camarat shook his head as he listened to Arathale. "Drop that subject. You've not ever seen me in combat to be able to make that judgement. Besides, being a Wizard does not mean you forsake your physique. I am still easily physically stronger than most Elves. If I were still younger, I'd definitely be stronger than any of them. As it is, I'm a lot older now. Nonetheless, I still retained much of my physique. So do most other Wizards. But that's not my point. Just know that if I were as much a pushover physically as you think I am, I never would have made it to this age." he told his old friend.

Beckoning to Farria he told the little girl, "It's all fine now. You can continue whatever it was you were doing. Just try not to get into anything dangerous like that, again, okay?" hoping perhaps she would listen. Turning back to Arathale he began, "Are you sure of this, Arathale? You will retain most of your normal physique, save the transformation. However the knowledge you seek does not come over the span of a single night. I spent centuries travelling the world, learning its secrets. After all those years I've learned everything there is to learn. I made enough decisions such that I've learned and regretted. That is how I have become who I now am. You will still be as powerful as you were when you had the gift, but differently. You will need to be able to make the right call at a whim. Most importantly, you need to know when you must use what magic." he stopped for a long while, taking deep breaths.

To elaborate, he began, "You've never seen me use my magic to harm people. Whenever I would harm someone, I always did it with my own physique. Never did I use destructive magic. I will show you why. I will show you what it means to be a Wizard. To bear such power and responsibility and knowledge." then turned to the mountain that housed his cave. It had become tainted with evil, and no one would miss it. It would be his test dummy. Slamming his staff's butt into the ground, he concentrated on the mountain. Few people would have the knowledge or the energy to destroy such a large object, but Camarat was an exception. Not a moment after he began his magic, the mountain began to topple in on itself. At the middle of the mountain, he had made an orb that led to a pocket of space in his fabric of reality. The orb began to absorb everything around it in a devastating manner. Within seconds, the mountain had disappeared off the face of the continent. "Do you understand, Arathale? You will need to bear this power and the responsibility and knowledge that comes with it. This is just a fraction of the power and knowledge you will gain. Can you say with 100% certainty that you can handle it?" he asked, knowing well his friend's answer.

When you die, your world ends. The world may go on, but in your eyes, the world ends with you.

-Carpe Diem

[Brenton]

Arathale blinked as Navarog left, not giving any signs other than that towards acknowledgement. Best not to let everyone know he was getting advice from someone if he truly wanted Camarat to trust he could handle this. When Camarat had finished with Farria, Arathale nodded and watched the display of strength. His eyes grew to platter size and he slowly began to quake in uncontrollable fear. After all, that was but a minor display and was still more than Arathale could defend against. Why had he just threatened this man again?

Swallowing back his fear, Arathale straightened and spoke calmly. 100% truthfully, I cannot guarantee being able to control it immediately. What I can guarantee is my strength and determination to reach that point quickly and to focus more upon sound decisions instead of rash attacks. Camarat, I will never be able to handle strengths such as yours if I don't first accept that I must change somewhat. That is my main reason for not backing down even now. And thank you for not killing me. I...

[Aelodil]

Observing, Camarat leaned on his staff. He didn't need it as a walking staff, but it had become a habit to make himself look frail like an old man. Part of it was to use his staff as a walking stick. Noticing Arathale's fear, he wondered if he had gone too far for an example. Then he remembered that it was Arathale he was dealing with. His old friend wouldn't be phased, not by anything. It was one of the few good things that came from his hotheadedness. That and a loyalty surpassed by few to none.

Camarat looked up, his hat blocking the sun as he looked at Arathale. Recognizing that calm once again, he smiled. His friend had gave him the answer he expected and even better. Using his staff to hobble over to Arathale he hugged his old friend tightly, not bothering to hold back how tight he hugged. The man could handle it. Releasing his friend, he moved a step back and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, smiling, "Then you are ready. You gave me an answer that even most of the remaining Wizards would have struggled with giving. Whether you can control such power is not the matter. If you can make sound decisions, it won't come to a matter of whether you can or cannot control power because you will be able to so long as you don't let emotions cloud your judgement." his voice soft and gentle.

Setting his staff on the ground between his feet, he told Arathale, "Reach deep inside yourself. Find your primitive instinct. Discard it. All the passion you feel, all the rage, all the chaos, remove it all. There is no room but for peace, calm, compassion, and serenity. You will begin to age - though you won't feel it until you are of the age of at least 10,000. That is the average age for Wizards. Come with me to my office in Uru'baen. I have a library I stored there. You will learn much by reading through it. In addition, I'd advise you craft yourself a new sword once you learn a little more. My sword here," he stopped as he revealed his sword, Vasilis, "Was made by me myself. I can proudly tell you that this sword is easily among the most potent swords out there. You can make much the same. Also, you might want to get used to using a staff. It helps channeling energy easier and you can store your energy into it." as he opened a rift to his office, waiting for Arathale to finish with the process.

When you die, your world ends. The world may go on, but in your eyes, the world ends with you.

-Carpe Diem

[Brenton]

Arathale accepted the hug and listened to what Camarat was saying about the process he needed to take to become a Wizard. Silently, the man delved into himself to reach the part of his being that he embraced so often. As he felt for what it was that Camarat spoke of, Arathale began to see into his true nature. He had not been as calm as he should have been in any situation but one and that meant he had to replicate that. With determination, Arathale began to eradicate all chaotic emotions within his soul and felt a change pass over him. It wasn't real noticeable at first, being a slight alteration in how the man viewed his previous fights he had won. As his finally dark chaos left his body, the rage built from primal instinct, Arathale focused on taking himself to the next step and cast aside all primitive instincts. All naturally predatorial thoughts were swept up and tossed out.

As that finished, Arathale recognized his body changing. Inside he could feel deep calm but outside the world began to alter slightly. He felt more intoned with his body as if he could now sense each individual beat of his heart now that he wasn't focused on being violent. With that was a pain that started and then lessened as he aged to 10,000 years. Finally Arathale focused once more upon Camarat and saw that he was no longer as tall as he had once been. True he still stood higher than his friend but Arathale had lost a couple inches and gained a fuller and longer black beard as well as his black hhair that was now long enough that it hung down to the center of his back.

Looking himself over, Arathale saw slight signs of age marks on his hands and bare skin. With a muttered word, a tree shrank and formed itself into a seven foot long staff made of hickory with a few whorls and knots along the length. Grasping the length of wood, Arathale cast one more spell that caused a length of leather to tie his hair back from his eyes. Moving at a sedate pace, the former Dragon Spirit stepped through the rift and into Camarat's office.

[Aelodil]

((So I'm guessing we leave it at that, yeah? The rest would just be Camarat teaching Arathale and having him read all the books in his library, which would take more than even just a year))

When you die, your world ends. The world may go on, but in your eyes, the world ends with you.

-Carpe Diem

[Brenton]

((Sounds good to me))