The Legend of the Staff of Animus

Named after one of Alexandria's most learned (and perhaps addled) minds, the new University District of the city contains a number of entertainment spots as well as areas of culture and learning. Though many structures and sculptures can be found here, two buildings dominate the plaza with an air of friendly animosity--the grand buildings of the Society for Progressive Arcanists and the Artificer's Guild.

Poised on opposite sides of the central plaza, the two face one another like old misers, each uncertain as to what the other's up to, and pranks between students are a rule of thumb. A series of levies and fines exists should they get too far out of hand, though at times the results may be spectacular. Performers often make use of the great plaza by filling it with music, and rare is the visit without passing a performer's hat or three, five, or nine. Likewise, ramshackle shops selling every sort of magic bauble line the ways, all of varying (and often questionable) quality. A grand statue of Sage Orum overlooks it all, his expression slightly perplexed perhaps, at its mixture of grandeur, invention, glass-filled baubles, and chaos.

At the far end of the area, is the city library. From public records to research into the history of the city and the region itself, there is much one can learn at the city library. Many stories tall, the building towers up over well-lit, tightly-packed cobblestone streets.

In the distance, the Redridge Mountains rise overhead in all their glory. At their peaks, one can see the airships docking, landing, and flying off again under the banners of not only Alexandria but many great nations.

Cesran comes out of the Arcanist Society and he has a thoughtful look on his face. He has a book under his arm and he looks around for a spot to sit down. He moves over to find a seat on one of the benches and he opens up the book to start to read it. He seems to become quickly engrossed in the book.

Sonja is standing outside of the Arcanist society, reading a book of her own. Who knew paladins could read? This one apparently can. Apparently it's about the supernatural and how to defeat different sorts of undead, specters, and demons with common household items. However, from the way the giantborn is chuckling, it's more comedy for her....

"Hey! Don't block the light!" Munch grumbles without real ire, as he's not exactly in a typical place to spread out some papers. Speaking of those who don't typically read. But the grass behind the bench is nice and clear. "Eh, never mind, was about done anyway."

Cesran looks up and he spots Munch looking at some papers. He closes his book and gets up, "Just what are you studying?" He asks as he moves to look without disturbing. He looks over at Sonja, "Find a joke book?"

Sonja chuckles before looking at Cesran. "How to defeat the supernatural with common household items." She then looks into the book. "A Silver Spoon can drive off vampires. I guess we can cut its heart out with a spoon, hmm?"

Munch buzzes absently, gathering up the papers and sorting them to a semblance of order. "Eh, just some of the stable matrix variations of chrono-dialation." He may be a thug, but now and again it's important to recall he's a -magical- thug. Blinking at Sonja, he shrugs. "Most anything can drive off anything, if you swing it hard enough."

Cesran ahs a little bit as he bends down to help string them together as he recognizes the configuration. "Planning on doing some upgrades?" He nods, "From my reading its faith that helps to drive off the undead. If you have great faith in a spoon that it can turn undead it can. It's all about how much faith you put into it."

Sonja laughs. "I have great faith in Daeus. It's still funny. That sort of faith isn't found in most people." She then looks to Munch and grins. "I agree with you, but you have to place your faith, completely and utterly in that thing. Which is beyond some people."

Munch nods. "Like some of those boots that can make you really fast, but don't think they'd hold up for long." The golem wiggles his clawed metal toes for emphasis. "But pretty sure can get the same effect with some enchanted bone structure." He nods at the comments of faith, and shrugs. "I have a lot of faith in hitting very hard."

Cesran shrugs, "Faith is a tricky thing. I have great faith in myself and in my intelligence and in my magic, but it does not grant me the powers that a cleric has. Instead it is through relentless study that I gain my power. While I respect Eluna as the Goddess of Magic I don't worship her like I did Animus." He bows his head, "Speaking of which, I found a book about him. There have been tales of a magic item that was once owned by the god of magic himself. A staff of great power."

Sonja chuckles a bit. "I didn't know animus. I have given myself to Daeus though." She then looks to Munch and laughs. 'if you were a demon....I think I could hit you harder."

Munch eyes Sonja a long moment, and shrugs. "Yeah, maybe. You look like you could hit pretty hard." Turning focus to Cesran, he nods, and shrugs. "Could be. Gods are old, they've owned a lot of stuff over the ages. Though I think a lot of their stuff is a part of them. Like, a little piece they made into something to use. If they disappear, that stuff disappears with them. But not all things. Some God Stuff is real stuff, like, real solid stuff you can pick up and use yourself if you can find it."

Cesran nods a little bit, "Apparently this staff we occasionally be earned by mortals. It starts with a book, not this book, unfortunately, but a book that would give instructions on the staff and how to find it. Only one possessive the intelligence and magic needed could find this staff."

Sonja says, "Power must be earned and used responsibly. Power for power's sake corrupts, and absolute power....well you get the idea. It's why Paladins are granted their power a little at a time. The gods are testing us to see if we can handle the power they give us, in reward for unwavering faith. So, it's also a test of responsibility. With great power comes great responsibility."

Munch nods. "I'm getting a better understanding of that. All sorts of stuff locked up in my design I wasn't ready for before, but some starting to come out now. I didn't really appreciate that before, but starting to now." He glances to Cesran, and blinks. "'Intelligence and magic needed', yeah? What if the amount you need is none at all, and that's why it hasn't been found yet?"

Cesran nods, "I think this is along those lines. The staff is not for anyone to use. It is only for those who strive to be the best. Its history is sporadic at least according to this book. Your god and Animus might have viewed this differently. You can't paint all the gods in just one brush stroke. Animus might have rewarded those who strived for great discovery and intelligence." He looks to Munch, "I doubt that. Animus was the god of magic. You would undoubtedly need a great amount of both."

Sonja hears the thump of cannons and turns her head to listen. 'That.....can't be good." She says before shrugging and heading for where the noise is coming from.

Munch glances to the bridge, but shrugs. "If you already have intelligence and magic, what would you need the staff for?"

Cesran smiles, "For more of both." He hears the cannons going off and he sighs as he closes his book, "Well shall we go and see what is up."

Munch shakes his head. "Nah, I got other stuff to do. Sure I'll hear all about it later."

Cesran nods, "Well I shall keep you informed them. Good luck with your upgrades."