Remove ads

Mage Saga: Consumption

Reader mode
Remove ads
Rating the Classifications
  • Informational
    • To keep down the sheer volume of exposition and info dumps in the story proper, and to encourage discussion, here's a bit of pertinent information--the three different 'classes'--regarding the three most prevalent classifications of humans in our story! (Do keep in mind this is limited to the IC knowledge of one Terry Barlowe! ;))

    Mages are identified in utero. Except for very rare and extenuating cases, they can only be carried to term by a mage mother. Shortly after birth, their overall magical potential is identified. At that point they are assigned a ranking of E through S. More on that later, but suffice to say the difference between an E rank mage and a S rank mage is staggering. The lower echelon might be reasonably overcome by a properly equipped squad of soldiers; the mere ten or so S rankers living are considered WMDs on a massive scale. Mostly, these individuals are considered above the laws of nations and man. Still, this potential is not reached right away. It takes years and years of 'exercising' an individual's magical well and simultaneously developing control to reach their limits. For example, Anne is a 'C-Rank' mage who just might scratch B-rank if she fully realizes her potential. Currently, it would take the coordinated effort of a full battalion with air support to put her down.

    Mediums are likewise identified while gestating. They are only separated from mages when they have used up the fullness of their well and it does not regenerate. Unlike mages, mediums are not ranked based on raw power. They receive dual ratings from 1 to 100 based on the qualities of their senses and the deftness of their magical manipulations. There is no way to test a medium's potential, and a medium might sharpen either skill as they progress in their career. The higher their ratings, the more valued they are. Despite her young age, Cilia is rated 85 / 90. This means she's qualified to work on all but the most extreme and delicate of devices.

    Blanks are identified by their lack of magical signature, but they too have a spectrum. The vast majority of Blanks are normal humans who are simply sufficiently resistant to magic that they can live without issue outside of places of high magical density. Places like Incursion Points, where magical density spikes significantly, will quickly kill them. Megan falls here. Then there are more extreme levels of 'blank-ness'. Some are highly resistant, if not outright immune, to direct magical effects. Then there are the extreme outliers known as 'Blind Spots'. They are about as rare as S-rank mages, but instead of wielding reality altering power, they exude auras of 'anti-magic'. Inside this area, 'normal physics' apply.

    Beyond that, there are the aberrations... but they are both unstable, extremely rare, sterile, and their abilities defy categorization. Little is known to the public about them.
     
    Last edited:
  • Informational
    • [x] The One Humanity Initiative - A non-profit with the goal of easing tensions between the magic-less majority and the magic-wielding minority, and maximizing the benefits everyone might receive from magic. You feel that you're uniquely positioned to help find solutions to bridge these two ever-diverging worlds.

    [X] Megan - A blank from a much less well-to-do family, you met her at one of your school's charity events. Smart, loyal and willing to put up with all of your constant medical BS, she's nearly a saint. She's currently a first year law student with top marks. Even coming from a family of overachievers, you're still blown away by her work ethic.

    I'll admit, I'm voting for the charity because I really like the sound of their mission. I'm angling for "politics with the goal of making the world a better place".
     
    [X] Daedalus Industries - You may not be able to contribute to the cutting edge magical research done there, but you can certainly find lotsof opportunities for advancement working there as an Administrative Assistant. You'd be somewhere directly down the chain from your mother, working on… whatever it is that she does there. The specifics would be above your paygrade, at least to start.

    [X] Anne - A skilled and respected mage working as an Incursion First Responder, she was a passionate supporter at one of your father's senatorial campaign rallies. There was instant chemistry. You fight often and hard, but never for long, and making up afterwards is always highly cathartic.
     
    [X] Daedalus Industries - You may not be able to contribute to the cutting edge magical research done there, but you can certainly find lots of opportunities for advancement working there as an Administrative Assistant. You'd be somewhere directly down the chain from your mother, working on… whatever it is that she does there. The specifics would be above your paygrade, at least to start.

    [X] Anne - A skilled and respected mage working as an Incursion First Responder, she was a passionate supporter at one of your father's senatorial campaign rallies. There was instant chemistry. You fight often and hard, but never for long, and making up afterwards is always highly cathartic.
     
    Last edited:
    [x] The One Humanity Initiative - A non-profit with the goal of easing tensions between the magic-less majority and the magic-wielding minority, and maximizing the benefits everyone might receive from magic. You feel that you're uniquely positioned to help find solutions to bridge these two ever-diverging worlds.

    [X] Megan - A blank from a much less well-to-do family, you met her at one of your school's charity events. Smart, loyal and willing to put up with all of your constant medical BS, she's nearly a saint. She's currently a first year law student with top marks. Even coming from a family of overachievers, you're still blown away by her work ethic.
     
    [X] Congressional Office of Representative Tom Seaver - A friend and colleague of your father's, you've landed a prestigious internship at his office. You respect and revere the man and the work he does. He might just be your father's running mate. Plus, it doesn't get better as a starting point for a political career, and politics is a place where a blank still might reach the top.
    [X] Cilia - A medium, employed as a researcher at Daedalus, and rising up the ranks quickly. You met while she was poking and prodding at you. Every test she could think of came back blank, and that captured her attention. You managed to keep it. Although she puts the bulk of her efforts into her research, she's never once let you down when you've really needed her.

    Interning with Seaver builds on the winning choices in the first vote, following in our father's footsteps, but what's more appealing to me are the implications for Terence's character. Politics is a place where blanks can still reach the top, and it'd be good for Terence to want to, evincing a spark of ambition despite the handicap of his nature. Proactive protagonists are the best sort. As for Cilia, it's a shame she doesn't have more support, because whatever's going on with Terence is pretty clearly going to become relevant in the future. Cilia has the talent, motivation, and resources to potentially figure it out. She's also loyal; Anne might be a gifted mage and great fun to fight with, but that relationship seems less than stable.
     
    [X] Congressional Office of Representative Tom Seaver - A friend and colleague of your father's, you've landed a prestigious internship at his office. You respect and revere the man and the work he does. He might just be your father's running mate. Plus, it doesn't get better as a starting point for a political career, and politics is a place where a blank still might reach the top.
    [X] Cilia - A medium, employed as a researcher at Daedalus, and rising up the ranks quickly. You met while she was poking and prodding at you. Every test she could think of came back blank, and that captured her attention. You managed to keep it. Although she puts the bulk of her efforts into her research, she's never once let you down when you've really needed her.
     
    [X] Congressional Office of Representative Tom Seaver - A friend and colleague of your father's, you've landed a prestigious internship at his office. You respect and revere the man and the work he does. He might just be your father's running mate. Plus, it doesn't get better as a starting point for a political career, and politics is a place where a blank still might reach the top.
    [X] Cilia - A medium, employed as a researcher at Daedalus, and rising up the ranks quickly. You met while she was poking and prodding at you. Every test she could think of came back blank, and that captured her attention. You managed to keep it. Although she puts the bulk of her efforts into her research, she's never once let you down when you've really needed her.
     
    [x] The One Humanity Initiative - A non-profit with the goal of easing tensions between the magic-less majority and the magic-wielding minority, and maximizing the benefits everyone might receive from magic. You feel that you're uniquely positioned to help find solutions to bridge these two ever-diverging worlds.

    [X] Cilia - A medium, employed as a researcher at Daedalus, and rising up the ranks quickly. You met while she was poking and prodding at you. Every test she could think of came back blank, and that captured her attention. You managed to keep it. Although she puts the bulk of her efforts into her research, she's never once let you down when you've really needed her.
     
    [x] The One Humanity Initiative - A non-profit with the goal of easing tensions between the magic-less majority and the magic-wielding minority, and maximizing the benefits everyone might receive from magic. You feel that you're uniquely positioned to help find solutions to bridge these two ever-diverging worlds.

    [X] Cilia - A medium, employed as a researcher at Daedalus, and rising up the ranks quickly. You met while she was poking and prodding at you. Every test she could think of came back blank, and that captured her attention. You managed to keep it. Although she puts the bulk of her efforts into her research, she's never once let you down when you've really needed her.
     
    Inserted tally
    Adhoc vote count started by Enjou on Mar 24, 2019 at 5:02 PM, finished with 30 posts and 23 votes.
    • [X] Daedalus Industries - You may not be able to contribute to the cutting edge magical research done there, but you can certainly find lots of opportunities for advancement working there as an Administrative Assistant. You'd be somewhere directly down the chain from your mother, working on… whatever it is that she does there. The specifics would be above your paygrade, at least to start.
      [X] Anne - A skilled and respected mage working as an Incursion First Responder, she was a passionate supporter at one of your father's senatorial campaign rallies. There was instant chemistry. You fight often and hard, but never for long, and making up afterwards is always highly cathartic.
      [X] The One Humanity Initiative - A non-profit with the goal of easing tensions between the magic-less majority and the magic-wielding minority, and maximizing the benefits everyone might receive from magic. You feel that you're uniquely positioned to help find solutions to bridge these two ever-diverging worlds.
      [X] Megan - A blank from a much less well-to-do family, you met her at one of your school's charity events. Smart, loyal and willing to put up with all of your constant medical BS, she's nearly a saint. She's currently a first year law student with top marks. Even coming from a family of overachievers, you're still blown away by her work ethic.
      [X] Cilia - A medium, employed as a researcher at Daedalus, and rising up the ranks quickly. You met while she was poking and prodding at you. Every test she could think of came back blank, and that captured her attention. You managed to keep it. Although she puts the bulk of her efforts into her research, she's never once let you down when you've really needed her.
      [x] Congressional Office of Representative Tom Seaver - A friend and colleague of your father's, you've landed a prestigious internship at his office. You respect and revere the man and the work he does. He might just be your father's running mate. Plus, it doesn't get better as a starting point for a political career, and politics is a place where a blank still might reach the top.
    Click to expand...
     
    Unless there's a flurry of voting and discussion, I'm closing this one in 1 hour. Expect another update late this evening.
     
    [X] Daedalus Industries - You may not be able to contribute to the cutting edge magical research done there, but you can certainly find lotsof opportunities for advancement working there as an Administrative Assistant. You'd be somewhere directly down the chain from your mother, working on… whatever it is that she does there. The specifics would be above your paygrade, at least to start.

    [X] Anne - A skilled and respected mage working as an Incursion First Responder, she was a passionate supporter at one of your father's senatorial campaign rallies. There was instant chemistry. You fight often and hard, but never for long, and making up afterwards is always highly cathartic.
     
    Vote closed.
    Adhoc vote count started by Mazrick on Mar 24, 2019 at 6:48 PM, finished with 34 posts and 24 votes.
    • [X] Daedalus Industries - You may not be able to contribute to the cutting edge magical research done there, but you can certainly find lots of opportunities for advancement working there as an Administrative Assistant. You'd be somewhere directly down the chain from your mother, working on… whatever it is that she does there. The specifics would be above your paygrade, at least to start.
      [X] Anne - A skilled and respected mage working as an Incursion First Responder, she was a passionate supporter at one of your father's senatorial campaign rallies. There was instant chemistry. You fight often and hard, but never for long, and making up afterwards is always highly cathartic.
      [X] The One Humanity Initiative - A non-profit with the goal of easing tensions between the magic-less majority and the magic-wielding minority, and maximizing the benefits everyone might receive from magic. You feel that you're uniquely positioned to help find solutions to bridge these two ever-diverging worlds.
      [X] Megan - A blank from a much less well-to-do family, you met her at one of your school's charity events. Smart, loyal and willing to put up with all of your constant medical BS, she's nearly a saint. She's currently a first year law student with top marks. Even coming from a family of overachievers, you're still blown away by her work ethic.
      [X] Cilia - A medium, employed as a researcher at Daedalus, and rising up the ranks quickly. You met while she was poking and prodding at you. Every test she could think of came back blank, and that captured her attention. You managed to keep it. Although she puts the bulk of her efforts into her research, she's never once let you down when you've really needed her.
      [x] Congressional Office of Representative Tom Seaver - A friend and colleague of your father's, you've landed a prestigious internship at his office. You respect and revere the man and the work he does. He might just be your father's running mate. Plus, it doesn't get better as a starting point for a political career, and politics is a place where a blank still might reach the top.
    Click to expand...
     
    So how likely are the children of a blank like Terrence and a mage like Anne to be Mages? Are the kids going to be weaker for Terrance's lack of magic, or is it possible for good mage genes to skip a generation for high potential children if they do luck into having a well?

    Assuming he's not going to be a sterile aberration.
     
    Last edited:
    Remove ads
    A Traveler and Two Guardians
  • Threadmarks
    • You look after your nieces and nephew for a few more minutes. Uruthal grumbles that he's bored. You agree, but you don't let on. This whole thing must be doubly tedious for a growing boy. Truthfully, right now you'd like nothing more than to find a nice chair and take a nap. Par for the course, but you stick with it and play the responsible adult. Just a little while longer, and then there's a special bouncy house for all the kids at the party. That makes all of the small ones twitter with excitement.

    However, your attention is swallowed up by the arrival of one Anne Thompson. You stop mid-sentence and stare gobsmacked at your girlfriend's appearance.

    She arrived earlier today with a train of luggage in tow--several days later than originally planned, but such is travel these days-- and she's been cloistered in her allotted guest room since before dawn. Now you see what she was spending her time on.

    Her long ebony hair is elaborately curled into ringlets. Twin sapphire earrings catch the light just so as her locks cascade over her shoulders and down her exposed back. The dress. You're not one for fashion, but even you can discern its quality. Must have cost her a fortune. The silver fabric shimmers with her every step. Your mouth is dry. You lick your lips and clear your throat. Eye shadow makes her eyes seem larger than normal. Blush makes her tanned cheeks rosy. Her thin lips look full. No sign of the scars that usually mark her features. Using enchanted makeup? On her salary? Enchanted cosmetics are expensive. Sure, she makes tons of money by normal standards, but most of her income goes to buying extra-market gear, fortifying her flat, and paying for extensive combat training from the best trainers money can buy. The Incursion Response Team provides all those things, but Anne goes the extra mile… with everything. Restraint isn't really her thing.

    You force your mouth closed with an audible click.

    Usually, Anne pulls her hair up into a tight bun, and when not in the uniform of the IRT, she prefers casual clothing. T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. This… this is not casual. You take a second, appreciative look. The woman is fit and trim, and only three inches taller than you. Some would say she's plain looking. Other, nastier folks, might say she's too masculine with a strong jaw and a sharp nose and too many muscles. Not you. She's far too fierce to be plain. And she's all woman.

    You meet her dark eyes. That look. In the 18 months you've been with her, you've seen that look on numerous occasions. Now, all the makeup and the finery makes sense. She's nervous and self-conscious and prepared for battle.

    Smart girl. This is the first time she's meeting your entire family. They are… fiercely protective of you. Maybe she should've worn her battle kit and brought extra armor for good measure!

    You put down Emma, absently ruffle her hair, and walk to greet your girlfriend.

    "Hey, babe." You say with a silly smile. "You're a vision."

    She simply responds by giving you a brief kiss. As you break, she says, "You clean up pretty well yourself, handsome."

    Under your touch, you can feel how tense she is. Her comrades tell stories of her courage under fire and her heroic actions. She's terrified. You kiss her again, and whisper into her ear. "Don't worry. They don't bite." If only that were the worst they could do.

    She chuckles hollowly. A touch of the tension leaves her well-muscled frame though, and she allows you to steer her towards your family.

    "Folks, this is my girlfriend, Anne Thompson." You gesture to Anne, and then to your family, "Anne, this is my family. You know my mom and dad, but this is the entire Barlowe Clan in all its glory!" You say the last with a good natured smirk.

    There's a momentary, but meaningful, pause. Your family eyes the newcomer with sharp, almost predatory attention. Anyone who could potentially attach themselves to the family receives similar scrutiny. Nick and Austin, your sisters' husbands were heavily vetted, and the marriages had been all but arranged by your mother. You meet your mother's green stare. She's wearing a seemingly pleasant and welcoming smile, yet she played no part in your current relationship...

    "Hello Anne, dear," mother is the first to speak. Her fake smile is full on her lips as she tucks a grey hair behind her ear. It's a good front. You only see through it because you've had years of dealing with the Barlowe matriarch. "We've missed you. I hope your trip wasn't difficult."

    From anyone else, that would sound like a pleasant and banal greeting. It is not. From the foremost teleportation mage in the world? It takes on a new meaning. Maybe several. Perhaps, it alludes to Anne's relatively meager funds and social standing. She can't afford to pay the exorbitant rate required to activate one of mother's teleport rings. It could be a condemnation of her prideful rejection of free passage. Or it could be a rebuke on her relative weakness, that the beasts and the terrible weather that waylay travelers in this day and age were able to so inconvenience her. Most people would scoff at the idea that so much meaning and scorn could be packed into a simple greeting, but your mother wields her words the same way she wields her spells, her money, and her family.

    The whole thing is exhausting.

    "Good morning, Mrs. Barlowe." Anne responds with a smile. She gives no sign of picking up on your mother's game. "The trip wasn't too bad. Unexpected hurricane grounded us for a day. A firestorm broke out over a new Incursion point. We had to fly around a pack of Sky Hunters, but the captain was a real professional. Nothing we couldn't handle. At least, all the documents were in order so the various inspections didn't take too long."

    "Oh, good to hear that the bureaucrats are still making life difficult. Whatever would we do without them." Mother responds shortly. She has no patience for bureaucrats and other mid-level functionaries. Despite having married a military man, she doesn't have much patience for soldiers either. Actually, outside of her family and her boss, you're not sure she really likes anybody.

    "Vanessa, Anne must be tired. At least wait until after dinner to give her the third degree." Father chuckles goodnaturedly. He lays his remaining hand on his wife's. His blue eyes, so like your own, are filled with gentle resolve. He turns to your date. "It's good to see you, lieutenant. I hope we can speak later. I'm very interested in how things are going at the tip of the spear."

    She stands up ramrod straight and very nearly snaps a salute. "Yes, sir."

    Then there's a group photo. All the Barlowes and their significant others are in it. This is the first time your family's been together in, well, you don't think everyone here has ever been all together. Anne tries to step aside, but you're having none of that.

    Finally, it's time for your father's announcement speech. A young latino woman, a blank who volunteers at several orphanages, gets up and introduces herself. She is Daniella Reyes, and she is one of the survivors of the Washington Incursion. She tears up when she speaks of how Ronald Barlowe saved the city by destroying the Gate there, how he personally saved both her and her brother.

    He takes the stage to thunderous applause. And he looks directly at the cameras. "I am Ronald Barlowe. I am running for president. This isn't about my family or I. These are troubled times. Here, now, we face challenges unlike anything in the history of mankind. I promise to pursue an agenda of equality for the disadvantaged, a policy of distributing the wonders of magic so that everyone can benefit, and aggressive, extensive resistance against the forces that invade and encroach upon our world. With all of your support, we will win!"

    His speech continues, but it's nothing you haven't heard before. It's his usual stump speech with a few caveats. Still, you can't help but be impressed by your father's charisma. Every eye is on him, and he looks like a president should look! He commands their attention by sheer will power.

    You are exhausted. But, you won't pass up the opportunity to see your family. Who knows when you'll see them all next! Two of your elder siblings will be leaving very shortly, so who do you decide to speak with?
    [] Go talk to Richard. A widower. He resides in the experimental space colony with other elites of Mage society. There he conducts magical research above and beyond what most imagine to be possible. You haven't seen him since his wife's funeral. His daughter Emma, who's being raised by your own parents, is like a daughter to you.
    [] Go talk to Samantha. Happily married with a pair of kids. She helped raise you and your siblings while your parents were enmeshed in the wars of the Decade of Madness. Now, she's the ambassador to the Archaens at the embassy on their home planet. You haven't seen her since she received her posting.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [x] Go talk to Richard. A widower. He resides in the experimental space colony with other elites of Mage society. There he conducts magical research above and beyond what most imagine to be possible. You haven't seen him since his wife's funeral. His daughter Emma, who's being raised by your own parents, is like a daughter to you.

    I feel that this person could probably use the most companionship. :/
     
    [X] Go talk to Richard. A widower. He resides in the experimental space colony with other elites of Mage society. There he conducts magical research above and beyond what most imagine to be possible. You haven't seen him since his wife's funeral. His daughter Emma, who's being raised by your own parents, is like a daughter to you.
     
    [X] Go talk to Richard. A widower. He resides in the experimental space colony with other elites of Mage society. There he conducts magical research above and beyond what most imagine to be possible. You haven't seen him since his wife's funeral. His daughter Emma, who's being raised by your own parents, is like a daughter to you.
     
    [x] Go talk to Richard. A widower. He resides in the experimental space colony with other elites of Mage society. There he conducts magical research above and beyond what most imagine to be possible. You haven't seen him since his wife's funeral. His daughter Emma, who's being raised by your own parents, is like a daughter to you.
     
    [X] Go talk to Richard. A widower. He resides in the experimental space colony with other elites of Mage society. There he conducts magical research above and beyond what most imagine to be possible. You haven't seen him since his wife's funeral. His daughter Emma, who's being raised by your own parents, is like a daughter to you.
     
    [X] Go talk to Richard. A widower. He resides in the experimental space colony with other elites of Mage society. There he conducts magical research above and beyond what most imagine to be possible. You haven't seen him since his wife's funeral. His daughter Emma, who's being raised by your own parents, is like a daughter to you.

    Our internship is at Daedalus right? So crazy space magic should be right up our alley.
     
    [X] Go talk to Richard. A widower. He resides in the experimental space colony with other elites of Mage society. There he conducts magical research above and beyond what most imagine to be possible. You haven't seen him since his wife's funeral. His daughter Emma, who's being raised by your own parents, is like a daughter to you.
     
    Reader mode
    You must login or register to reply here.
    Remove ads
    Back
    Top