Magic Discussions at Fernwood Pub

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-<* A07: Fernwood Pub *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

The common room of the Fernwood Pub dominates the inn, spacious and airy because of the high, vaulted ceiling. Ornately carved beams of dark, polished wood form a lattice overhead, supporting the arched roof two storeys above the floor. To the right of the double-door entry is a spiral staircase, winding upwards to a balcony that rings and overlooks the main area. Large windows at this level grant an excellent view of the river to the west and colorful market stalls to the north and east. An air of coziness is salvaged by keeping the pub dimly lit; parchment-shrouded mana lanterns hang at intervals from the base of the balcony, nestled amongst lush, magically propagated ivy and ferns that grow over this false demi-ceiling and the struts that support it.

The bar is sleek and simple, comprised of meticulously polished black lacquer. Tables are set under the darker niches formed by the balcony floor as well as on the balcony itself. A few are deliberately sized to accommodate halflings and gnomes, but the majority are meant for human-sized individuals. A large common table is on the main floor, set before a semi-circular stage situated against the western wall. Beside it, with pipes mounted upon the wall and running up past the balcony and almost to the ceiling, is a refurbished pipe organ made to look like the one lost when the Fernwood was destroyed during the Merkabah Siege.

The Fernwood takes care of itself, despite the tendency for extra-planar creatures to invade and attack, the place cleans up well. Currently its evening and the crowd is growing thick with merchants who are finished with their day of hawking wares.

Tak is seated at the bar, apparently not busy doing one of his performances at the moment, he just seems to be enjoying a drink for now.'

Cesran is sitting at one of the tables and he has just finished dinner. He is looking over a stack of papers that he has before him. It is a rather thick stack and he appears to be carefully going over each one. He will occasionally take a drink from the glass next to him, a rather bright green concoction.

Tak is always the curious sort, so he finally decides to see what the paperwork is about. He rises from his spot at the bar, mug in hand, and meanders over near Cesran, trying to peer to see what the papers are about.

Cesran continues to look over the papers and he carefully sets each one down in the same order that he picked them up so he doesn't lose his place. The wording is in common and it appears to be a rather complicated application. At the top is an elaborately flourished heading, Society of Progressive Arcanists.

Tak moves over closer to stand in Cesran’s field of view. "Good evening sir, may I inquire as to the nature of this massive undertaking of parchment?" He gives a friendly smile, then takes a drink from the mug in his hand.

Cesran looks up from his paperwork as he spots Tak, "Hello Tak, were you able to find out anything from that village? I have not been able to make it back there, I have been busy with my studies." He looks at the paperwork, "Punishment for a youthful indiscretion."

Tak chuckles at the explanation, then shakes his head about the question on the village. "I was not able to find out too much, I did attend the large meeting the other day with the council reps and the clergy. They had adventurers share their experiences with the wood around the village, wasps, ants, things like that."

Cesran hmms, "Sounds like something that the druids would be looking into." He looks at the paperwork and rolls his eyes. "Of all the idiotic..." He mumbles to himself as he puts the paper off to the side. He carefully takes the stack that he's all ready looked through and puts it on top of the other. He takes out a binder to put the papers away and he puts it in his pack. "How has your day been?"

Tak gestures to a chair to see if he can sit, and if allowed he does. "So far so good, nothing jumping out of portals to eat my head, and thats all you need for a day to be good, not being eaten."

Cesran nods to Tak, "Sure. Well that is good to hear. For the moment my most dangerous concern is to worry if I will get a paper cut." He takes a sip of the bright green drink. "So this meeting that you attended, anything decisions made or any commonality?"

Tak shakes his head, "It was simply an effort to herd cats, well, adventurers. The council and the clergy wants them to go out, explore the felwood and fight off these dangers, and encourage folks in town. Some of the adventurers had some rather...unusual suggestions."

Cesran hmms, "Yah about what I figured it would be. Yes some of the adventurers make you wonder if they are all right in the head." He rolls his eyes, "Sounds like an exercise in futility to just wander around the felwood til something happens."

Tak nods, "I'm wondering if there are more organized groups I might get involved with. The adventurers guild is barely contained chaos, namely due to the adventurers."

Speaking of a cat herder, a man in blue-short robes emerges from the doorway which separates the main room from the kitchen. Rogun bears a pewter plate that looks to have been topped with the house special and the accompanying utensils which he balances in one hand. In the other he bears a large goblet which matches the plate.

He makes it as far as the bar's edge before setting down the plate and looking over the sparsely populated main room. It doesn't take him long to find Tak, whom he recognizes, before looking to his company this evening with a slight arch to his bushy brow line.

Lifting the goblet and plate again he approaches slowly - still balancing the food and utensils.

Cesran hmms, "Well the Explorer's Guild does its best, but it doesn't actively investigate. It usually just hires adventurers to respond to a threat. I'm just starting the process of joining the Society of Progressive Arcanists, although they are more concerned about the study of magic and the suppression of Necromancy. Most adventurers are left on their own to do their own investigations."

Tak turns, nodding to Rogun as he arrives "Evening." he says to the man, then Tak looks back to Cesran. "Joining the arcanists huh? Well, I dabble, but I'm not really of a mind to focus my energies into spellcasting, its just a bit too much steady work."

Rogun nods casually when greeted by Tak. Upon reaching their table he first sets the plate down and then the goblet before standing straight and giving for a more formal presentation to Cesran. That is to say the human gives a nod and a faint bow from his waist, "Suppression of Necromancy.." He repeats the man's words with some consideration, "..the study, the practice, or both..?"

"Rogun Belus." He remarks in afterthought and then says, "Do you mind if I take my meal with you?"

Cesran looks over towards Rogun and nods politely, "Good evening. I don't mind please have a seat. I am Cesran." He looks towards Tak, "I was part of the Academy of Sages before the death of Animus." He pauses for a moment and bows his head in honor of the dead God of Magic. "The society seems to be picking up where the Academy has left off so I am going to do my best to support it. The practice of Necromancy is forbidden, but to counter the spells of Necromacy one must study it."

Tak nods "Of course, knowing ones enemy is always a key to victory. I've heard many stories about necromancy, I even heard there was a rumor a necromancer was somewhere outside the city."

Rogun joins them then and takes the utensils from atop the plate and places them next to it upon the table. As he does this he looks to Cesran as the man speaks and idly taps the end of his nose at the bit about '..to counter it one must study it..' taking up his fork and nodding as Tak speaks his agreement.

"Well met, Cesran." He says then, "Isn't it curious how Necromancy is viewed as abominable and yet, to generalize, it is so easily for the lay person to witness.." He takes a bite of his meal, which looks to include spiced potatoes, and chews several times before swallowing, "..so much easier to combat than say - enchantment."

"The ability to sway the mind of others with spell.." He scrutinizes Tak here, "..song, or story. Imagine, to take the mind of your best friend. To have them reveal all your secrets and then place a knife in your back.."

"Far more disconcerting than the dead rising up. When the dead rise its clear where to bury your sword, am I right?"

Cesran smiles, "It's interesting that you should mention enchantment in the same vein as necromancy, I find both abhorrent, I study them only if I have to, my main field of focus is evocation, although that can be just as destructive." He hmms, "I believe the very nature of necromancy to turn life back upon itself is so wrong that it can't be allowed to be practiced."

Tak smiles and looks to Rogun "Perspective. Life is pain, and being abused while your alive is part of life. An enchantment that warps your mind is no different than a disease that rots the persons mind. But death....your supposed to be rewarded for your life after death, you have earned your rest and instead your partial spirit is used to animate the weapon of a necromancer. That is the reason for the outrage, at least how I see it. We honor the dead, we care little for the living." He smirks at that last bit.

Cesran is sitting at a table with Rogun as Tak had to step away for a moment and the appear to be conversing about the dangers of necromancy and why it is considered to be forbidden magic when the other school of magic have spells that could be considered by some even more dangerous. "That is true it goes against the Grey Harpist, trapping souls that should either be alive or go on to their next reward."

Rogun considers Cesran a moment and nods, "Then we have already found one thing that we have in common.." a pause, "..well two things actually." He says to the mage's dislike of the two schools mentioned.

He looks to Tak with scrutiny then and gives a soft sound in consideration of what the bard has said, "A point well made.." He says in compliment, "..though, am I detecting a hint of cynicism from a bringer of mirth..?"

He stops there as Tak becomes cosmically unavailable and then turns back to Cesran, "Certainly you know better than I, all things can be bent for destruction. Even Necromancy, I suspect, might have some redeeming qualities in the right hands."

Karelin pushes in through the doorway, then heads for the bar. He glances askance. Necromancy?

Cesran snorts, "Whatever benefits that one can derive from the Necromantic school are but a cheat. An imitation of life because that is all Necromancy is, twisting life back on itself. Even if used with good intentions the taint of necromancy is still there and that is the slippery slope. When one practices it long enough one can delude themselves into thinking that through Necromancy they can gain control over life and death. That is the province of the Gods and one that is jealously guarded. It requires clerics of extremely devout faith to even begin to petition their God for the return of life once that mortal's flame has been extinguished."

Rogun listens to Cesran with interest for he has stopped eating to do so and it is only when he reaches the end, and speaks of clerics, that he nods, "..excellent riposte." He compliments the fellow, "I was just going to bring up how when sorting out divine powers we classify a number of useful necromantic rites as beneficial for warding off - or even releasing - captured souls."

Then spearing one of the potatoes upon his plate, "..but I will begrudgingly admit that I know of no such powers within the realm of Arcanists." He chews for several moments, "To say nothing of reviving the dead - but.." He points towards Tak had been sitting, "I would now ask our friend why, if release is so sacred, a devout cleric would wish to pull a freed soul back into this world of pain and misery."

"When I'm frolicking in paradise I do hope that someone doesn't resurrect me so that I have to die horribly once again.." He clears his throat then, "This said, and I apologize for leaving in such haste, but I am due to set off shortly. Can we continue this another time, Cesran?"

Cesran nods, 'Thank you." He smiles, "Ah from what I have read that the soul must be willing to come back, there are some souls that have unfinished business here on this world and coming back to life gives them a chance to finish it. While others might wish to return because it is simply not their time and they have plenty of time left. I have never been dead so I cannot say, although I hope that it is many years before I grace the Grey Hall with my presence."

Karelin orders a beer, seems willing to listen. "...and humility, no doubt."

Cesran glances over towards the bar and shrugs, "Humility has never been a strong suit of mine, but we all have our foils."

"Excellent." Rogun replies to the idea of picking this up later, standing, "And I did not know that about the divine rituals." He admits, "That makes entirely more sense." Then to all, "Good day." He exits.

Karelin grins, scars distorting a little. "Don't we all. Don't we all." He shakes his head. "Corpsebothering is vile, no matter how people try to justify it."

Cesran laughs a bit, "Well if I should die anyone is welcome to bother my corpse if they are going to bring me back to life, and real life not undeath. If I was to come back as undead I would be very cross."

Karelin snorts. "Most are, indeed. From what I've seen, it's not a trivial choice to return."

Cesran hmms, "That could be as much to do with the person that has brought them back. The undead are raised to fight, they are infused with the anger that the caster feels and are under the casters command, they are as much victims as those they attack. The most merciful thing is to put them down."

Karelin grunts. "In general, perhaps. I think the Garnaks are not victims."

Cesran hmms a little bit, "I'm not familiar with Garnaks."

Karelin nods curtly. "Thulian necromancers -- they ruled Blar before it's liberation." He pauses. "They're also vampires."

Cesran nods, "There are some that go willingly into becoming undead such as vampires and liches, but even among vampires there are those that are turned unwillingly."

Karelin sips his beer. "You're quick to search for excuses."

Cesran shrugs, "Unwilling or willing when it comes to the undead there is only one solution, destruction. They are one of the most unnatural things that can exist."

Karelin pauses. "Maybe. They don't have to be the worst to deserve destruction."

Cesran hmms, "There are others, such as demons and devils, but the undead are the most common of the unnaturals." He finishes his drink and smiles, "Well the talk has been enlightening, thank you, but I really have to go going. The name is Cesran by the way."

Karelin nods. "You introduce yourself every time we talk, Cesran." He takes a long pull on his beer. "Go, have fun, kiss a mirror."

Cesran takes a good look at Karelin and smiles, "Well let's hope that next time I can remember that we've met before." He laughs a bit, "Kiss a mirror good one." He says as he heads out.