The Secret Arkanos 2. (IK Recruit Thread)

[Archanex Jotham]

(This thread is a sequel, yo!
Secret Arkanos (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?23897-Secret-Arkanos.-%28Closed%29&p=194374#post194374))

Those events still haunted Archanex to that day.

In a way, he was glad that they had happened in the order that they had happened.

Once a carefree individual, Archanex's trust and faith in people had been irrevocably shattered.

Developing his strange and inexplicable sympathy with the Goblins had saved Humanity from a greater threat. The Goblin shaman named Starr had rallied his people after they'd stolen the legendary Rendarii Talisman from the Hedge Magi. The attempt to recover the lost Talisman cost Archanex his very life for a short time period. A long invocation of Blood Arkanos and Necromancy Arkanos stringed together a web control from the spell caster to Archanex's body. Archanex was used as a weapon, he was later to find out, and resented Humanity as a whole for that sort of a rape. Archanex had grown bitter after that, but worked in silence amongst the Goblins for a while. The time had come when he'd received a strange vision to go to Radasanth in Corone. There, a mute awaited him that would offer him a new place in life. Furthermore the College of Magi in Radasanth was recruiting new members despite connections to the Empire.

Archanex needed to work away from civilization in general, and the time he spent recuperating with the Goblins had proved quite eye-opening. He had learned about their culture, and learned that they worship an entirely different set of Thayne. A forgotten set. An ancient set. Archanex was fascinated by the teachings of the Shaman, Starr. They weren't savages at all, and had a rather complex society set up. After many casualties on either side of the battle at Windlacer, a truce of sorts was reached. It was decreed by the elders of the Hedge Magi that they would be allowed to keep the Rendarii Talisman. In exchange, they would have to cease their march on Scara Brae.

As Archanex thought of those events, he felt exhausted. The work of blood magicks that the woman, Lindra, had cast upon him took a toll on his very life essence. So Archanex had aged somewhat physically when the summoned guardian stored in the Rendarii Talisman was released. Once that event had occurred, Lindra lost control of the Overmage, and he had been regenerated to life by an unknown power. Or so he thought. One moment he was dead, another he was once again on the mortal coil. Archanex turned on his master, and defeated her in battle, but did not kill her. The single act of mercy would probably sting him further down the road, but Archanex had already lost too much.

Archanex was staring at a mirror in his apartment in Radasanth. Being back in the civilized world was a strange affair after the civilized world had turned it's back on him. Archanex was currently attempting to join the College of Mages in Radasanth. Archanex wore a fancy robe. As he prepared his collar, he looked at the strange envelope he had received as part of the parcel. It was an invitation to join something called the Ixian Knights. An organization, or Guild, he had never heard of. Archanex was to meet with an individual named Sei Orlouge. However, he had no idea who the fellow was! Thinking that he should concentrate on one matter at a time, he grabbed his Wizard's Staff. Then, he left the apartment to make his way to his meeting with the head so the College. There, his fate would be decided.

[Silence Sei]

Compassion. Friendship. Equality. All of these traits were something that Sei attempted to strive for with the Ixian Knights. Sure, there were noble people such as Zerith Dracosius and Artemis Eburi in his ranks, but for every noble person with good intentions, it seemed there were twice as many wayward souls under the banner of the Knights. Duffy Bracken, Jensen Ambrose, Sei even had the woman known as the ‘Gisela Reaper’, Cassandra Remi, among his troops at one point. With such a large number of less-than savory characters….

“Come on Willie, you can do better than that!” Jensen Ambrose’s loud and boisterous voice rang out throughout all of the halls of Ixian Castle.

“I’m going to rip out your entrails and strangle you to death with them!” The threat, which was much more of a growl than anything, came from William Arcus. The man known as the Revenant was almost as annoying as his mortal enemy, and the two spent almost every day fighting one another. At this point, Sei was sure that they fought so close to the mute’s quarters just to annoy him.

Needless to say, equality was not something that was really promoted among the Ixian Knights.

So when Sei had heard of a mage who allied with, of all things, goblins, the telepath jumped at the opportunity to send out an invitation to the ‘Jotham’. However, it had been a few days, and the strategists letter had been unanswered by the hedge magi. It was around this time that the mute had heard of Archanex applying at the College of Mages. This information caused Sei to make a deliberate plan to meet with Archanex Jotham, though it was a plan rife with deception.

This plan is what had Sei at the college, his gray karate gi traded in for black robes similar to that of a graduate. Similarly, Sei also donned the graduation cap as well as a pair of small bifocals. This would be an excellent disguise if not for the fact that it was not graduation day, nor would it be for several more months.

Sei was really bad at disguises.

Still, he waited in the lobby of the college. He ran his hand against the mahogany stool, looking at the matching desk that held some sort of secretary. Though the blonde girl had exchanged a few awkward glances at the Mystic, she came to accept the odd appearance of the warrior and continue about her studies. Now that he had one person ignoring him as if he were a piece of the furniture, Sei just had to wait for someone to come in and question about applications.

[Archanex Jotham]

Archanex saw many people moving through the streets of Radasanth as he made his way to the college. He was used to the different political power struggles going on in Radasanth, but was weary of them. The old mage had known much emotional upheaval of late, and he was tired of the realm of mortals. A part of him wished to be rid of Althanas all together, but he knew that he was an adopted son. He could no longer be rid of the world, as much as he could stop himself from breathing the air in it. Taking a deep breath, he walked passed several and was soon upon the college. Looking like an obsidian dagger in the distance, was the tall spires of the citadel. Archanex took a quick look at the blood-soaked building before returning his gaze back to the building he was searching for. There it is. Archanex held the registration application, and the other documentations in his hands. He looked down at them for a moment and a part of him missed the quiet environment surrounding the druidic Hedge Magi.

Archanex saw that the front doors of the building were open. People he had never seen before came to and from the building. Clearly labelled on a sign that swung in the breeze, was the "Arcane College". Gathering his wits, he knew that he was about to be amongst the ranks of highly skilled sorcerers. Those sorts of people were oft more dangerous than the wielders of the blade. Archanex finished regaining his composure, and took a deep breath. Afterward, he ventured into the building. He could not yet feel the elemental manna, nor, could he see it until it was manifested through a spell. He needed to develop his natural senses. He used his battle-staff as a walking stick, and made his way to the registration area of the college. It was conveniently located at the rough center of the first chamber. The building was actually a large academy with it's own built-in cathedral, and medical and researching facilities. Some of the monks of the citadel were visible instructing students of the healing arts.

"Ah. There you are."

Before Archanex had noticed it, a gentleman had approached him.

The same fellow who was his handler within the college proper. "Do you have the required documents with you?" The gentleman asked.

"I do." Archanex answered simply and provided the fellow with the necessary information for entry into the college. "I have a detailed explanation as to what happened with the Hedge Magi incident..." Archanex said.

"I am aware." The man said. "I know that you are quite thorough with your research from the sample notes you gave us before. Very interesting. I did not think the Goblins capable of understanding one of our more advanced artifacts. 'Tis a pity we lost it."

"It belonged to them." Archanex corrected. The object he was speaking of was a talisman belonging to the Hedge Magi of Scara Brae. It was respectively known as a Rendarii Talisman and held tremendous power. "The Hedge Magi took it from them which provoked the theft attempt in the first place..." Archanex felt like this was starting to become personal.

"I was merely commenting." The older gentleman said carefully. His voice was even, there was no detectable emotion for or against Archanex's words. "Though I understand you are still burnt about the incident. It is my understanding that the Hedge Magi have released a document in regards to this incident. Your involvement in the incident was struck from the record, and any notice of your involvement with their organization was also struck from the record..."

"Tch..." Archanex cursed. This was rapidly going south. "I am wasting my time here..." He did not want to trade one betrayer for another. "If you'll excuse me I am conducting research in how to fade into obscurity." Archanex prepared to leave, when the gentleman stopped him.

"Wait." The fellow said. "It is not often we get students of your caliber." The gentleman held Archanex's application documents in his hand. "The research paper you submitted about the goblins was quite impressive, and an eye-opener." The gentleman walked closely towards Archanex and studied him. "You are more than prepared for a life-long pursuit of the ancient arts." The gentleman tapped his chin. "There is one last thing I would have you consider before you are officially able to join the ranks of the College. A test if you would."

"...I am listening." Archanex said after he waited a moment.

"Good. Then I ask of this one matter." The gentleman began. "In Concordia Forest, there is a small area to the East of Radasanth where many herbs bloom wild. I want you to fetch me a single sample of Mandrake Prime Root." He continued. "The Prime Root is located in a very specific patch of trees. You will be supplied a map and the tools to retrieve it. The rest is up to you." The gentleman looked off in the general direction of the graduation ceremony student. He frowned. Then, he returned his gaze to Archanex. "Will you attempt this?"

Archanex sighed. He hated having to run these sorts of job when his future career was on the line. His eyes narrowed, and he looked at the older man for a moment. "I will attempt this task for you. Not cause you are asking, but because I want to be a part of something bigger than myself." Archanex said carefully, he was growing impatient. "When do I have to start on this?" He asked.

"You can start immediately." The gentleman said. "Just know that Concordia is a battle-zone and a dangerous region. There are many creatures, and other threats that roam around in that area."

"I've been through worse." Archanex said. "Where do I get the tools I need for the job?" Archanex found himself asking.

"I have them with me, not to worry. All students must fetch samples for their application process. It is an old rite of passage." The gentleman handed Archanex a small pack filled with various goods.

Archanex took the pack and attached it to his belt. "I shall see this done." He said, looked at the graduation attired student, and then turned around, preparing to leave.