Archanex Jotham
02-10-11, 11:41 PM
Archanex tapped his chin for a few moments. He was thinking. He was analyzing the movements he'd made in the last battle. The monks showed him recorded images of his battle against the other mage, Cade Smith. And then, there was that fight with Ulysses, that mysterious knight that chose the armoured mounts for their battle. Archanex was studying the mistakes he'd made during either battle and preparing himself for the next battle. He would not be repeating the same mistakes.
He currently stood in one of the administrative halls of the order of aibron. They were a mysterious organization that was responsible for the citadel leagues and it's handling. Though the monks clearly affected every aspect of life in Corone, the organization itself was a mystery. Like some twisted illuminati, they oversaw many of the dealings in Corone's empire that went down. In secret, they also counseled the Corone Rangers attempting to play both sides. They also attempted to keep a veil of neutrality.
Archanex was standing within a larger group of monks of the order. Though considered a hedge magi, and wielding no power over the monks' personal affairs, Archanex had made the request of studying his battles. Strangely enough, the monks had obliged as Archanex was simply following the pursuit of knowledge. He wanted to improve his personal standing in the citadel leagues. So he studied. Both battles, all battles he was forced to undergo. Some were willingly, and others were less so. Still though, each battle had something to teach the overmage.
When he was done studying, several hours later, Jotham the white carefully turned his attention to a nearby monk. Long had Archanex waited in hiding. Months had passed sine he had last entered the blood-soaked arenas of the citadel. When Archanex addressed the nearest monk, he looked at him with sublime respect.
"I thank you, noble monk, for allowing me to see the visual data procured from my various ventures. I have learned much about my basic techniques and I wish to apply the knowledge that I have obtained." Archanex the white said.
The monk smiled in Jotham's general direction. He stood up from the chair he sat at, devices and artifacts of unknown origin stood before the monk's studious eyes. Jotham knew that the chamber he was in was filled with various such strange arcane devices. Even his vast intellect had no hope of deciphering the purposes of the monk's artifacts without proper training and education. Archanex wanted to study the monks, they were an interesting subject to him. As the monk prepared to speak, Jotham waited.
"I thank you for your patience, overmage. I was looking over various matters of the citadel league. Ranks and such, administrative affairs. Nothing you need to concern yourself over." The monk said. "Do you wish to rejoin the citadel leagues?" The monk asked.
"Yessir. I am ready to fight once again." Archanex said, tapping his chin. "I have learned much from watching myself in action. If it wouldn't trouble you too much, I'd like to study the results of my current battles too to continue to increase my knowledge."
"It's not a problem. Very few know it, but we do actually make our records and findings, most of them, public. It's just most members of the citadel leagues don't ask to see the data we extract." The monk walked towards the front gates of the chamber. "Let us depart, I shall guide you to an empty chamber."
***
Citadel chamber number thirty-nine. The dual-digit numbers were etched upon the mahogany gates of the empty chamber. Jotham whistled as he looked at the chamber, impressed as always by the efficiency of the monks. Before Archanex entered, the monk placed a hand upon the mage's shoulder. Archanex turned towards the monk.
"For a small fee each battle you undergo, we can designate this chamber for the use of you and your opponents. It's a minor service that the citadel offers." The monk said.
"How much are we talking?" Archanex asked.
"A mere ten gold per battle." The monk responded. "The benefit is a life-time benefit."
"I shall take you up on your offer then. Do I hand you the money now or later?"
"After the battle." The monk responded. "Do you require any special rules to the battle?"
Archanex paused for a moment. "None, sire. Just bring me a worthy opponent."
***
It was a typical Corone afternoon. Archanex rested in Concordia Forest, his boots on the ground next to him, and his feet bare. They were currently dipped in a small lake that was decorated with a waterfall. The scenery that Archanex had chosen for his battle was beautiful. It was a small clearing with a stream connected to the lake. Archanex figured that fishing would be beautiful in this lake. Though he did not have any fishing equipment with him. Pity. Archanex looked up at the bright afternoon sky. It was a mid-July. The sky was blue, only a few clouds were visible.
A comfortable wind came in from the East. Archanex liked the sounds he heard on the wind, the calls of the various animals in this region. He carefully listened for a few moments, and then opened his eyes after those moments had passed. The doors to the citadel chamber were still hovering nearby. They were open invitingly. His eyes returned to the lake, he could see very far into the crystal-clear world below. There were fish swimming in the waters, lots of them. Such a serene environment, a suitable place to do battle in. I hope my opponent does not mind that we will mar this place with our blood soon enough. Archanex waited patiently and moved into deep meditation.
He currently stood in one of the administrative halls of the order of aibron. They were a mysterious organization that was responsible for the citadel leagues and it's handling. Though the monks clearly affected every aspect of life in Corone, the organization itself was a mystery. Like some twisted illuminati, they oversaw many of the dealings in Corone's empire that went down. In secret, they also counseled the Corone Rangers attempting to play both sides. They also attempted to keep a veil of neutrality.
Archanex was standing within a larger group of monks of the order. Though considered a hedge magi, and wielding no power over the monks' personal affairs, Archanex had made the request of studying his battles. Strangely enough, the monks had obliged as Archanex was simply following the pursuit of knowledge. He wanted to improve his personal standing in the citadel leagues. So he studied. Both battles, all battles he was forced to undergo. Some were willingly, and others were less so. Still though, each battle had something to teach the overmage.
When he was done studying, several hours later, Jotham the white carefully turned his attention to a nearby monk. Long had Archanex waited in hiding. Months had passed sine he had last entered the blood-soaked arenas of the citadel. When Archanex addressed the nearest monk, he looked at him with sublime respect.
"I thank you, noble monk, for allowing me to see the visual data procured from my various ventures. I have learned much about my basic techniques and I wish to apply the knowledge that I have obtained." Archanex the white said.
The monk smiled in Jotham's general direction. He stood up from the chair he sat at, devices and artifacts of unknown origin stood before the monk's studious eyes. Jotham knew that the chamber he was in was filled with various such strange arcane devices. Even his vast intellect had no hope of deciphering the purposes of the monk's artifacts without proper training and education. Archanex wanted to study the monks, they were an interesting subject to him. As the monk prepared to speak, Jotham waited.
"I thank you for your patience, overmage. I was looking over various matters of the citadel league. Ranks and such, administrative affairs. Nothing you need to concern yourself over." The monk said. "Do you wish to rejoin the citadel leagues?" The monk asked.
"Yessir. I am ready to fight once again." Archanex said, tapping his chin. "I have learned much from watching myself in action. If it wouldn't trouble you too much, I'd like to study the results of my current battles too to continue to increase my knowledge."
"It's not a problem. Very few know it, but we do actually make our records and findings, most of them, public. It's just most members of the citadel leagues don't ask to see the data we extract." The monk walked towards the front gates of the chamber. "Let us depart, I shall guide you to an empty chamber."
***
Citadel chamber number thirty-nine. The dual-digit numbers were etched upon the mahogany gates of the empty chamber. Jotham whistled as he looked at the chamber, impressed as always by the efficiency of the monks. Before Archanex entered, the monk placed a hand upon the mage's shoulder. Archanex turned towards the monk.
"For a small fee each battle you undergo, we can designate this chamber for the use of you and your opponents. It's a minor service that the citadel offers." The monk said.
"How much are we talking?" Archanex asked.
"A mere ten gold per battle." The monk responded. "The benefit is a life-time benefit."
"I shall take you up on your offer then. Do I hand you the money now or later?"
"After the battle." The monk responded. "Do you require any special rules to the battle?"
Archanex paused for a moment. "None, sire. Just bring me a worthy opponent."
***
It was a typical Corone afternoon. Archanex rested in Concordia Forest, his boots on the ground next to him, and his feet bare. They were currently dipped in a small lake that was decorated with a waterfall. The scenery that Archanex had chosen for his battle was beautiful. It was a small clearing with a stream connected to the lake. Archanex figured that fishing would be beautiful in this lake. Though he did not have any fishing equipment with him. Pity. Archanex looked up at the bright afternoon sky. It was a mid-July. The sky was blue, only a few clouds were visible.
A comfortable wind came in from the East. Archanex liked the sounds he heard on the wind, the calls of the various animals in this region. He carefully listened for a few moments, and then opened his eyes after those moments had passed. The doors to the citadel chamber were still hovering nearby. They were open invitingly. His eyes returned to the lake, he could see very far into the crystal-clear world below. There were fish swimming in the waters, lots of them. Such a serene environment, a suitable place to do battle in. I hope my opponent does not mind that we will mar this place with our blood soon enough. Archanex waited patiently and moved into deep meditation.