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Hope will never die : a Fire Emblem Awakening quest

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pheonix89 said:
Robin is the route for going fighter-mage.
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Yeah and I would be all for it if only Robin was an option... From the description it looked like Rickon's a good teacher for that too, even if from my (admittedly scarce) in-game experience I don't remember him being much more than your standard spellcaster.

Edit: Had a look at the various combat styles and it seems Ricken is a spellblade, if only a novice one at that. Could be a nice way of opening up that skill, even if I'm of the opinion that focusing on two styles should be enough and a third one just risks us spreading ourselves too thin.
 
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Chapter 1-28: Teach me, professor Henry!
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    • [X] Henry

    [X] Tomes of magic

    You think about your options long and hard, before deciding to ask Henry. You have prior experience in working with the eccentric Plegian, and while he's certainly unusual, you've come to respect his expertise on his craft. And you have to admit, the fact that he is a dark mage plays a large role in your decision. This kind of magic is usually barely studied in Ylisse, not quite outlawed, but certainly not well considered. Yet it is also a common tool for the worshippers of Grima, from what you've heard. With Naga's warning, and the assassin suspected from being Plegian, you feel like you need to learn more about it, if only to be able to defend yourself should the need arise.

    When you finally manage to find Henry and make your request, he shows an unexpected degree of enthusiasm. The prospect of teaching his craft seems to delight him, and he almost drags you to your first lesson. You expected it to take place in the library, or maybe some kind of laboratory he would have established to himself, but you find yourself in the palace gardens instead. He would have brought you into the forests bordering Ylisstol, he says, but he doesn't think the guards would let you leave the place after what happened, not without a heavy escort, and that sounds like a drag to him.

    Your first lesson is about the fundamental distinction between dark magic and the more classical schools. Most spells, he explains, are simply a way to shape the elements around you by applying your willpower to it. The mage serves as a medium to canalize the energy in the air, and giving it a new form, often with the help of tomes. However, dark magic directly relies on life force. It can be drawn from many sources, including the spellcaster itself, and is a lot more flexible in its effects. It is also a lot more dangerous - while a mishap with a normal spell would simply exhaust you mentally, dark magic accidents often involve dead bodies. The way he cheerfully states this is rather disturbing, really.

    Nonetheless, after this "boring" introduction - his words - he decides to quickly get you to practical training, tossing you two tomes to practice with. In this, you realize, your lessons with Libra help immensely. Focusing on the world around is something you're somewhat used to by now, and with the lightning tome in your hands, you can visualise the air crackling with electricity. Following the instructions of your tutor, you gather those energies inside, before letting them out, using the spellbook as a conduct. The results are exhausting, more than you'd think, and for a rather lacklustre result. You're drenched in cold sweat, your head spinning, and you only managed to produce a few sparks. Gritting your teeth, you turn toward Henry, who apparently doesn't share your grim evaluation.

    "Heeeey, that's not bad, not bad at all! Hi hi, this is going to be soooo fun..."

    ... well, as long as he approves... After a few more lessons spared toward the manipulation of lightning, he decides it's time to show you the ropes of dark magic. A simple repairing hex, to begin with, one that he apparently used to help your mother a while ago. It sounds simple enough, but when he states that it works by actually rewinding time, you can't help but wonder if maybe this isn't far too advanced for you. He shrug off your concerns, though, stating that working on small, inanimate objects is simple enough. For now, trying to fix a broken bowl should be a proper challenge. As for the energy source, you have several options.

    [] Use your life energy: it's usually the easiest way. As long as you pace yourself, there'll be no lasting damage, it just can be a bit tiring. However, it is important to know your limits, lest you end up really harming yourself. Miriel once told him that apparently, many dark mages seemed to age prematurely, presumably after taxing themselves too many times.
    [] Use a tree's life force: drawing power from nature is another possibility. While it doesn't pose much risks to the spellcaster, it's also a rather finite source of energy, in Henry's opinion. More often than not, the plants used end up dying, and performing great feats of dark magic using this method can have a considerable impact on the landscape. Why did you think many dark mages seem to live in desolate places, eh?
    [] Use Henry's life force: oh well, you can use him too, he supposes. He's sure he will be fine. Many dark mages love this method, actually, though most of the time, the ones used aren't willing. One can draw a lot of power this way, though personally, he doesn't like it much. He only had animals around him for a long time, and why would he had hurt them?

    Note: this vote will determine what will be Lucina's main method to cast dark magic. It doesn't mean the other ways will be closed to her, but it will determine which one will be the most potent.

    Bracing yourself, you cast the spell. The feeling is very different than with lightning, more tumultuous, more malleable. With the proper knowledge, mindset and power, the numbers of effects one could obtain would be almost limitless! Right now, though, you're clearly not quite there yet. Only a few pieces of the bowl put themselves back together, and even that doesn't last long before they shatter again. Still, Henry seems pretty happy with your progress. For a first time, it was rather good, he thinks. He's sure you'll be an amazing dark mage in no time, if you apply yourself! You're not quite sure how you like the sound of that, but still, a tool is a tool, and magic could be an effective one. The Plegian mage suggests you spend some of your free time exercising, though it is your choice which kind of magic you want to focus on to begin with.

    [] Put more efforts in Lightning magic
    [] Put more efforts in Dark magic

    Skill: magical theory raised to D+
    Skill: tomes learned
    Skill: lightning magic learned
    Skill: dark magic learned
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [x] Use a tree's life force: drawing power from nature is another possibility. While it doesn't pose much risks to the spellcaster, it's also a rather finite source of energy, in Henry's opinion. More often than not, the plants used end up dying, and performing great feats of dark magic using this method can have a considerable impact on the landscape. Why did you think many dark mages seem to live in desolate places, eh?


    [x] Put more efforts in Lightning magic
     
    [X] Use Henry's life force: oh well, you can use him too, he supposes. He's sure he will be fine. Many dark mages love this method, actually, though most of the time, the ones used aren't willing. One can draw a lot of power this way, though personally, he doesn't like it much. He only had animals around him for a longtime, and why would he had hurt them?

    @Macros how far can one go using this method without physically harming them? Does a larger animal have more life force than a human? The question I'm dancing around is, could we use Cu as our mana battery without hampering her combat abilities or harming her?

    [] Put more efforts in Lightning magic
    [] Put more efforts in Dark magic

    Not sure, will decide later.
     
    [X] Use Henry's life force: oh well, you can use him too, he supposes. He's sure he will be fine. Many dark mages love this method, actually, though most of the time, the ones used aren't willing. One can draw a lot of power this way, though personally, he doesn't like it much. He only had animals around him for a long time, and why would he had hurt them?

    I'm going with this one just for the practicality reasons. Using your own enemies life force against them will be useful... Wait, Risen. Would they have life-force? Well, they have something holding them together.

    Might switch to Nature, but Grima's probably going to wasteland a lot of the area... argh

    [X] Put more efforts in Dark magic
     
    ScalesLikeCinder said:
    @Macros how far can one go using this method without physically harming them? Does a larger animal have more life force than a human? The question I'm dancing around is, could we use Cu as our mana battery without hampering her combat abilities or harming her?
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    Large animals often have more energy to draw upon, though that depends of the type of beast. As for how much someone can endure before feeling the effects... it of course depends on the spells, but as a general rule, the threshold where someone's getting tired from having his energy syphoned is rather low (a couple of dark magic blasts will be enough for the first effects to be felt, though it's nothing truly bad at this point).

    In this specific example, Cu would indeed have larger reserves than most humans, and hold longer before tiring. Of course, it's cumulative; if she gets injured while already partially drained, the effects will be felt more harshly.

    ShadowAngelBeta said:
    Using your own enemies life force against them will be useful... Wait, Risen. Would they have life-force?
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    Note that at first, you're restricted to willing targets, though this limitation will be overcome as you progress. Range is also a factor, usually.

    As for Risen... well, you'll have to find out, I suppose. ;)
     
    Macros said:
    Large animals often have more energy to draw upon, though that depends of the type of beast. As for how much someone can endure before feeling the effects... it of course depends on the spells, but as a general rule, the threshold where someone's getting tired from having his energy syphoned is rather low (a couple of dark magic blasts will be enough for the first effects to be felt, though it's nothing truly bad at this point).

    In this specific example, Cu would indeed have larger reserves than most humans, and hold longer before tiring. Of course, it's cumulative; if she gets injured while already partially drained, the effects will be felt more harshly.
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    Ty for the information, I guess it wouldn't be much more than an emergency measure. I'd rather avoid ending up with an Undead Wyvern like the Malig Knights, I do prefer a mount which is not a soulless husk. :tongue:

    [X] Put more efforts in Dark magic

    Still, I'm getting curious on the idea of using Risen for spells too. Mind you, I'm not too optimistic on the outcome yet I already know I will vote for it when the time comes...
     
    [X] Use Henry's life force: oh well, you can use him too, he supposes. He's sure he will be fine. Many dark mages love this method, actually, though most of the time, the ones used aren't willing. One can draw a lot of power this way, though personally, he doesn't like it much. He only had animals around him for a longtime, and why would he had hurt them?

    [X] Put more efforts in Dark magic

    Having In-world justification for the effects Dark Magic is great and all are options are rather intresting. Kudos to Macros for achieving both simultaneously.
     
    [X] Use your life energy: it's usually the easiest way. As long as you pace yourself, there'll be no lasting damage, it just can be a bit tiring. However, it is important to know your limits, lest you end up really harming yourself. Miriel once told him that apparently, many dark mages seemed to age prematurely, presumably after taxing themselves too many times.

    [X] Use Henry's life force: oh well, you can use him too, he supposes. He's sure he will be fine. Many dark mages love this method, actually, though most of the time, the ones used aren't willing. One can draw a lot of power this way, though personally, he doesn't like it much. He only had animals around him for a long time, and why would he had hurt them?
    [X] Put more efforts in Dark magic

    What could go wrong? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

    Edit: Wyverns are pretty much free mana bars, not too psyched with this option but it is a bit better hidden than us turning our garden into a wasteland.
     
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    [x] Use a tree's life force: drawing power from nature is another possibility. While it doesn't pose much risks to the spellcaster, it's also a rather finite source of energy, in Henry's opinion. More often than not, the plants used end up dying, and performing great feats of dark magic using this method can have a considerable impact on the landscape. Why did you think many dark mages seem to live in desolate places, eh?

    [x] Put more efforts in Lightning magic
     
    [X] Use a tree's life force: drawing power from nature is another possibility. While it doesn't pose much risks to the spellcaster, it's also a rather finite source of energy, in Henry's opinion. More often than not, the plants used end up dying, and performing great feats of dark magic using this method can have a considerable impact on the landscape. Why did you think many dark magesseem to live in desolate places, eh?

    [X] Put more efforts in Lightning magic.
     
    By my count, the tree option is leading by 2 votes, and we have a tie between lightning and dark magic.


    Will call the vote in ten hours or so, I think.
     
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    @Enshuu @MalError @Aurakid @pheonix89 @veekie

    Either one of you willing to flip? I mean Henry can teach lightning but it's not his specialty. We did this for dark magic, if we were going anima we'd have chosen Miriel. You're kinda gimping Lucina here if we don't focus dark magic, we can flip teachers later if you want strong anima magic.
     
    veekie said:
    I never wanted Dark magic, why would I flip?
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    Like I said, as well as above me. We'd be gimping Lucina. Now I'm not sure on which way the GM takes teacher effectiveness but notice so far all of our teachers have been masters of their craft. Our ultimate learning ability could be based off the stats of our teacher, notice our learning abilities before Maribelle, they were garbage, this is what your asking for when you want a dark mage to teach you Anima. Alternatively their skill sets the cap they can teach you, this'll still gimp Lucina since we'll be forced to practice alone or get a new teacher.

    Regardless it is better to learn dark magic from Henry and move on to another teacher than it is to learn Anima from Henry and hurt our growth. You'd also lock us out of any chance towards getting a unique Henry related skill or trait form learning dark magic from him. Regardless its kinda late to go back now, if you hadn't wanted dark magic than you shouldn't have let the Henry vote go through.
     
    Welp, guess Lucina will be doing her best Sith Lord impression in a few years. :tongue:

    Changing subject to something completely different, I find myself agreeing with the fact that, while wyverns are undoubtedly awesome, Lucina's sword style isn't exactly suited to fighting while mounted and that got me thinking... @Macros could we train Cu to fight alongside us not only as a mount but also as a separate fighter? I mean, throwing aside FE gameplay logic, it would pretty much be like having a slightly weaker Manakete as your partner during battles.
     
    ScalesLikeCinder said:
    @Macros could we train Cu to fight alongside us not only as a mount but also as a separate fighter? I mean, throwing aside FE gameplay logic, it would pretty much be like having a slightly weaker Manakete as your partner during battles.
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    It certainly is possible. At the very least, she will certainly not remain inactive while you are in danger. However, without a rider to direct her, she might be more vulnerable to attacks, if only because she'd have to remain grounded most of the time to support Lucina.

    Well, vote called!

    ​
     
    Macros said:
    It certainly is possible. At the very least, she will certainly not remain inactive while you are in danger. However, without a rider to direct her, she might be more vulnerable to attacks, if only because she'd have to remain grounded most of the time to support Lucina.
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    Good enough really. That's what training her would be for, shoring up disadvantages and all that jazz. Little Lucina creating from her own experience a new style made exclusively for fighting alongside her dragon buddy just sounds too awesome for it to happen, but I'm keeping my hopes up. :grin:

    Really good quest by the way, even if I sort of skimmed some chapters the first time I was reading it :oops: I'm going through all of it again just now and I'm certainly not minding a second read.
     
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