Drakon Sssharxx

Slith there are plenty other Geneforge stories that you can read whilst waiting for the next chapters. I myself have a rather lengthy one that is currently on its second book if you have that much spare time on your hands. Enjoy, Sharx. P.S. Good story Artemis!

Chapter 25 – Ring of Fire Charlotte sits unable to speak whilst Iraelithe sits patiently smiling. After several minutes Charlotte manages to organise her thoughts to form a reasonable sentence. “Why you telling me?” Shock stops any emotion entering her features. Iraelithe looks Charlotte over before replying as if to emphasise his words. “Because I would like to teach you, I can sense great potential in you and I see you fight for a worthwhile cause.” Once again Charlotte is struck dumb and it takes many moments for her to regain composure. She then thinks about what he said and the opportunity in front of her before nodding vigorously. Iraelithe smiles before standing up and going back into the kitchen. Moments later he returns holding a small box. “I thought that this may be helpful since we have little time. Oh and I cleaned the dishes for us.” He sits back down and hands Charlotte the small wooden box. Charlotte takes it and inspects it. It is made of polished mahogany and has tiny brass hinges holding on the lid. She runs her thumb across the box lid before hooking her finger under the lid and lifting it up. As she sees what’s in the box she gasps before inspecting it closer. Inside is a gold ring with an onyx gemstone set into the face. Upon closer inspection she sees a small flame flickering in the centre of the gem and a faint trail of flames winds its way over the band of gold. Iraelithe smiles and begins to explain what it is. “When I was travelling many years ago I was forced deep into the crypt of an ancient shaper tribe leader. There were many items in this crypt and most of them were useless and purely decorative but this ring was at the very centre of the crypt. As I looked upon it, it emitted such immense power that I was scared of it. I closed its box and felt the power emitting from the ring cease. I opened it up to find that the box was blocking its power from escaping. Over the years I’ve stolen glances at it to find its power decreasing with every passing year. I studied it to learn that it is imbued with so many enchantments that aid in the wearers abilities. I would like you to use it so that you may pick up what I teach you faster. I must warn you though I have never seen it worn so the results may be greater or lesser than what I believe.” Charlotte looks at the ring afraid to touch it, it looks like it would burn her if she touched it. She gets the courage to reach towards it and when she feels no heat she gradually reaches closer until she touches the gold band. As she makes contact she feels it mildly warm to the touch but it is not a painful heat. She pinches it between thumb and forefinger and pulls it out the box and holds it up to the light, it splinters off the gem and sparkles magnificently. Charlotte even thinks the flames on the band get slightly more prominent but can’t tell if it’s a trick of the light. She holds her left hand out with her middle finger outstretched and slowly slides it onto it. As soon as the metal band encompasses the tip of her middle finger flame tendrils stretch from the ring and flow down her finger and round her hand pulling the ring down to the base of her finger, the tendrils continue to snake around her hand till they engulf it entirely in flames and begin to stretch up her arm. Charlotte can only feel a pleasant warming sensation but that is countered by her vision of flames engulfing her entire left arm. As she watches the flames begin to disappear and the gold band of the ring begins to get brighter and brighter until it glows dazzlingly white. The edges of the ring begin to blur slightly and the pleasant warming sensation continues to spread throughout her body. As the ring begins to dim once more the warming sensation encompasses Charlotte’s entire body and doesn’t fade. The ring returns to how it looked but as Charlotte looks at it she sees the edge of the ring has fused to her skin to become a part of her. She looks closer to see flame like patterns undulate beneath her skin and she feels better than she has ever been. Hmm I think i'm going to have to cut away some of these main subcharicters, they are stealing time from the main story of Saraph and Charlotte.

Chapter 24 – Group Four Sounds of swords and explosions dance about the training field like wraiths entangled in a hurricane. The field is occupied by only four people, these people move with finesse and precision that is rarely seen. Flames are summoned only to be extinguished by ice moments later followed by a leaping body with sword raised to strike. Moments before collision the soon to be receiver of the blow has rolled only to strike at the back of his assailant. The people are locked in an unending battle consisting of attacks and counter attacks that are so constant that it weaves a melody of destruction and the bodies intertwine into a flowing dance of devastation. After ten minutes the field they practice upon is blackened and sunken. The attacks being dealt are powerful enough that one stray blow would tear up the ground ten metres around where it landed. The four combatants stop their battle after half an hour to shake hands and begin another training drill. Hordes of soldiers enter the training field and the four bodies in the centre leap into action. One by one the soldiers begin to fall incapacitated to the floor. Each of the four people training move together as one entity, their co-ordination supreme, as if they are one body working to achieve one goal. After little under five minutes one hundred soldiers lie unconscious on the floor around the four people. A loud clapping comes from a stand at the side of the training field, the shaper council quieten down and a guardian seated in the middle stands up. “We have assembled you four shapers to be our arm in fighting against threats that have recently come into light. Shaper Namine, our most talented mentalist and leader. Shaper Spddin, you are our most talented shaper and mechanic. Guardian Dantius, our most talented swordsman and weapon master, and last but not least, Shaper Cirikci, our most talented sorcerer. It is your task to scour the lands for any rebels and eradicate them. Your main search should be for Andras, who used to be a shaper but recently went insane from stress. We have also heard reports of a powerful rebel that is skilled in combat and shaping, we have reason to believe he defended Poryphra against our attack and his name is Sarass” The four Shapers bow low to the ground before departing the training field. They travel to the feasting hall and eat dinner before travelling to the shaping halls. At the shaping halls they reabsorb used essence and gather supplies they require before shouldering their packs and standing on a shaping pedestal. The air blurs and the four Shapers vanish from sight… ***** Andras hurries about his home gathering necessary supplies throwing everything he may need into a fyora skin rucksack. Once done he shoulders his pack and begins to teleport to a place he once journeyed through that was desolate and remote. As the air blurs around him he can see another blur towards the other side of the room. Four shapes become more and more solid as Andras becomes less and less. One of the four shapes becomes totally solid and launches a bolt of searing lightning across the room at the fading shape of Andras. Just before the lightning hits Andras vanishes, several curses fly around the room and the four Shapers begin to search the house. Andras reappears on the slope of an icy mountain. Several metres to his right is a cave opening which he hurries into the shelter. The rock the mountain is made of is somehow resistant to magic and prevents teleportation within the cave. A discovery Andras made the last time he was here. Andras sets up his camp and begins to create several lethal looking turrets at the entrance to the cave. No one can get in from anywhere else. He lies down and begins to drifts off to sleep. P.S. Would it be possible to sticky this topic as it is getting rather large and geneforge relevant. I can't update it quite as much as i'd like to either so it may get unoticed whilst i'm busy at college.

Chapter 23 – Breakfast Pyralis jumps off the pedestal in the middle of the small room and leans against the side of the pedestal. Her eyes quickly flit over Saraph’s body observing his stance and mood, when she finds nothing she gives up and reveals why she is standing where she is. “I was wondering, if you are not too tired, whether you would be available to accompany me to breakfast.” Saraph can detect none of her businesslike tone he can remember from previous encounters, he even notices her porcelain eyelids flutter to obscure her perfect hazel eyes. Saraph face breaks a small smile and without thought he nods vigorously. His strength and speed, coupled with his uncontrolled cheer, makes his head seem a blur to everyone but himself. He realises quickly and corrects his behaviour. “Sorry, I have had little social interaction for many months. I am out of practice.” He corrects his smile into a more comforting look. Pyralis nods and indicates for Saraph to lead the way. On their way down to the dining hall Saraph’s mind grinds though all the possible reasons for her to approach him in such a way. He also realises that he hasn’t eaten food for even more months than since his last normal conversation. At the dining hall Saraph walks with Pyralis to the table of food and serves himself a small portion of vegetables and once Pyralis is also finished at the table he leads the way to a table away from most of the other rebels. Saraph takes a small bite of food to find his sense of taste has also been heightened with his other physical changes. He swallows and then begins small talk with the beautiful woman sat opposite him. During the conversation Saraph learns a great deal about Pyralis. He learnt that she is only a year older than himself, that she joined the rebels when she was about fourteen and that she manages the integration of creations into the rebellion. Towards the end of breakfast when there is little remaining on the plates Pyralis looks Saraph straight in the eye and asks her first question in the conversation. “Why do you fight for the rebels?” Saraph is transfixed by her eyes that he doesn’t look away. He assembles his answer in his head before explaining to her about his training to become a shaper and how he saw how the creations were looked upon as disposable tools. He explains how he dislikes the shapers obsession to control their powers and keep them to a select few. He explained how a servile had informed him of the rebellion and how he decided to join it. Saraph finishes his explanation and finishes the last bite of food on his plate. “Why do you not use the canisters?” Pyralis asks next. Saraph looks up confused and asks “What makes you believe that?” “Because like me your skin does not glow and you are calm and controlled. I look around this room and see hundreds of people that do not fight because of morels, they fight for the canisters. The drakons use the canisters to recruit farmers and turn them into tools, tools of war and destruction. I want to know why you chose not to use them?” “I do use the canisters, but what you have said makes me understand now that they do not affect me in the same way that they affect everyone else here. I have never lost control or felt a sudden anger, my physical appearance has not been changed except for an increase in muscle definition. They seem not to have the side effects that everyone else experiences.” Saraph looks around the room and notices the subtle signs that Pyralis has made him aware of. Many of the rebels are tense and ready to attack each other as willingly as their enemy. Saraph sees them like the drakons see them for a brief second before he feels pity for what they have become. Pyralis looks at Saraph with curiosity before she stands up. Saraph stands also and carries his plate to the stack of dirty plates at the corner of the hall. Once the plates are stacked Pyralis turns to Saraph. “Thank you for your company today. I will see you around.” She smiles a genuinely happy smile and walks away with a newfound bounce in her step. Saraph shakes his head as if waking from a dream. He walks back to his room and begins to read through the journal he found in the depths of the library.

Well I guess the only way to portray the geneforge saga as a movie(s) would be first to get your characture and lead him allong a simplified but still complicated path of morel decisions that highlights the various veiws of each sect before brutely killing him and saying "HA thats what you get for buying GM crops." Mainly to combat Genetic engineering in these times where the public is so avoidant to the idea. P.S. oops I forgot that I was reviveing an old post as i read this. Mearly felt like a general answer in a conversation.

Had a free day today where I have had no work to do. The course I am doing is coursework based so it includes a lot of homework, so I am unsure as to when I will be able to post chapters but whenever I don't have coursework to do then I will TRY to write another chapter. Chapter 22 – Discovery Saraph reaches the bottom of the steps to find another small room with a pedestal in the centre. Around the walls are bookshelves filled with books entitled with names like “Wingbolt version two” and “Drayk version one” Saraph smiles and walks forward towards the first bookshelf and takes the first book. He stands at the pedestal flicking through the book reading each page in less than a few seconds. Within moments he has flitted to the shelves and back with the next book and begins reading that. Even with Saraph’s incredible speed and one look memory the process still takes most of the day and as Saraph reads he begins to thirst for more. His speed constantly increases and by the time he has finished the entire complex is quiet. Saraph’s improved hearing informs him that there is nobody around and the majority of people are sleeping. Saraph hungers for more knowledge and looks over the pedestal to see a very intricate lock. The sort of lock that one misplaced touch would break and cause it to be unusable. Saraph can sense the creation inside it waiting for a frequency key, the creation is so fragile that only the right frequency would cause it to open. Any other frequency would kill it. Saraph extends his mind towards the creation and senses that it works or reactions and instinct, it has not independent thought. He begins to learn how it opens the door and what bodily function provides that and instead of providing the magical frequency Saraph directly affects the creation. A very small current of electricity to its nervous system causes it to twist and activate the stairs to the next level. Saraph smiles as he descends the stairs silently, and when he reaches the bottom he peaks around the corner to find it empty. Cobwebs cover the room and suggest that very few have been down hear recently and a sign signifies that the work has been moved to shaping hall D. Saraph knows that he is not allowed into shaping hall D, his curiosity is ignited. He walks forwards to find a bookshelf with books entitled “Drakon version one” and “Gazer version two” Saraph grins at the information he has access to. He hurriedly reads through them and absorbs the information and completes his knowledge of the current war creations. By now it is approaching midnight and Saraph begins to wonder around the room looking at the equipment left behind. He spots a small piece of machinery with two rods sticking out at either end, one points upwards at a slight angle whilst the other points downwards at a small shaping platform with a dried bone on top. Saraph sees that there is a lens in the rod pointing at him and as he places his eye to it he can see an image of the bone. He twists a dial on the creation causing the image to get larger. Saraph twists again testing how powerful the machinery is, the bone enlarges closer still. Saraph keeps twisting the dial amazed as the bone becomes a lattice structure then the lattice structure gives way to a piece of living material that has lasted through the years protected by the bone. He sees millions of little sacs joind together. The dial twists one more time and Saraph witnesses the view plunge into one of the sacs and reveal a large black structure, the view plunges into the black structure to reveal millions of little wormlike objects and as the view gets larger still one of the objects becomes clear. Saraph witnesses a long piece of scroll with symbols on. As Saraph observes he notices only four letters upon this “scroll” the pattern of letters however is different. Saraph looks upon it and extends a tendril of magic into the scroll and when it touches one of the symbols it changes into one of the other three. Saraph looks on in amazement and memorises the four symbols. He takes his eye away from the eyepiece and watches as the creation returns the view to normal. Saraph walks towards the other side of the room to find another bookcase this one almost empty, only one lone book remains there. Saraph picks it up and opens it. It is a journal of one of the people working here, it speaks of the discovery of the scrolls several years ago and how they desired to learn more. They discovered it was a language and that it controls life. They also know that it has limitless combinations that they will never hope to understand. Saraph sees the usefulness of this book and slides it into his pocket. Saraph looks around the room further to find little more of interest. He vows to return hear tomorrow and begin to work on this strange language. He walks back up the stairs with a slight smile upon his face at the enormity of what he has discovered and how it would affect the shaping world if it was released. Saraph reaches the top of the stairs and hears them shut behind him, he continues up the stairs leading to the basic library and the main complex. As Saraph reaches the basic library he freezes in shock as he sees what is waiting for him.

Good idea shaper1. I'll remember that. I'm a little busy sorting out my stuff for college at the min but i'll continue when things calm down. Sharx.

I created this story for peoples entertainment and to take up my time, I give everyone permission to distrabute and take ideas from this freely. So long as no money is made from the distrobution of the core product then I do not mind. If you adopt the ideas and incorporate them into your own project then I would ask you to ask my permission via E-mail. If I fail to respond within one week feel free to use what you requested to use. Any questions regarding this statement can be asked via PM or E-mail. Sharx E-mail: n.sharkey@rocketmail.com

Chapter 21 – Secrets As Saraph reaches the gates of the underground rebel fortress they swing inwards silently on well oiled hinges. Saraph continues walking into the darkness, his eyes adjusting without difficulty. He walks down the corridors towards the main docks. As he walks through the corridors he passes by many people who walk by without a glance. Saraph reaches the docks and turns right towards the doors that lead to the leaders of the fort. Saraph opens the first set of doors and walks along the short corridor with the Drayks at the end. “I need to provide my mission report urgently.” Saraph informs the drayk. The drayk nods and knocks on the door before stepping aside, the other drayk also steps aside. Saraph takes a deep breath before walking into the circular room. Saraph walks in to find the nine leaders sat in their respective seats. He walks forward into the centre of the room and stands there with all eyes upon him. He takes a deep breath before giving his report. Saraph starts with what happened after he left the room, about getting supplies and leaving through the main gate with Velerak. He goes on to explain how they travelled and the incident at the pass. The leaders nod in acceptance at this point. “If you were travelling that fast then where have you been since then?” Saraph nods and continues with his report telling them how he continued to Poryphra to find it almost rebuilt and talked with the gate guard about the place and asking to see the leader of the fort. He explains that he took over the running of the fort creating tactics and defence plans while searching for a larger shaping hall. Saraph explains how the shapers arrived and how the battle started off well until the gates breached. How the rebels were beginning to lose when a miracle happened, they found the shaping halls. Saraph explains how he rushed to them to find Andras and how a battle began and how Andras fled leaving Saraph free to enter the shaping halls. Saraph explains how he ran in and began his work. He explains how he shaped an army and pushed the shapers out of the city and away. He summarises by explaining the state Poryphra is in currently and how they require reinforcements. The drakon in the centre nods. He looks over Saraph once again with his head tilting. Saraph has the same weird feeling that the drakon is seeing more than his face and cloths. “Yet again you have proved yourself in more talentsss. I would like to ssee if there is anything that you are incapable of. I will give you accessss to our more restricted library. It is located below our normal library. The drayk outside will give you key that fitss into the pedestal. We will call for you when we have another tassk for you” Saraph nods and departs the drayk outside is already holding up a triangular rod for Saraph. Saraph takes the rod and examines it as he walks down the corridor to the docks. The rod is made of one half crystal and one half decorated gold. The crystal holds a certain frequency of magical energy and when the lock detects it then it will unlock. Saraph pockets the key and walks down the corridor and out into the docks he crosses the docks and enters the corridor past his room. As he walks towards the library he sees Pyralis walking towards him. He smiles at her as she walks past. “Wait.” She pauses after saying this. “Good work at Poryphra” She smiles and carries on walking to wherever she goes. Saraph stands there for another second dazed as the same feeling rears its head and Saraph shakes himself putting the many questions he has to the back of his mind. He continues walking down the corridors until he reaches the library. He opens the door and walks in to see the familiar four walls and centre pedestal for holding books. He also notices that there is a small triangular hole in the side of the pedestal. Saraph inserts the key into the space provided and watches as the floor behind the pedestal sinks into the ground. Saraph removes the key and walks around the pedestal and finds that the floor gave way to a set of stone steps. Saraph takes a step down and begins his decent into the deeper secrets of the rebels.

I would like a BoG because at least then we have the power to create our own scenarios. Rather than just end it why not make it semi open scource? Give the power to the fans to create alternative timelines.

Chapter 20 – Denied The nine members of the shaper council look down upon the crippled form that Andras has become. “Your request to shape yourself a new arm is denied, for us to grant your request would be a short step away from becoming like the rebels.” The shaper in the centre raises his arm and seals off the bleeding joint. Andras’ body stops shaking and he manages to stand up, he bows gratefully to the council before leaving the council chambers like a demon fleeing a holy man. Once out of the chambers he runs down the halls to his temporary room which he rushes into and locks the door. He drops onto his bed in a crazed frenzy cursing Saraph’s name and the shaper council. His body has become deformed and the shapers in all their perfection refuse to fix him. He lies on the bed for hours hating the world and everybody in it. Over the hours he manages to calm down and realises that Saraph is the source of his problems. Andras eventually becomes too tired and falls asleep. When morning arrives Andras stirs from his fitful slumber. He tries pushing himself up to remember his right arm is no longer attached. He rolls over and sits up trying to think of a plan to gain revenge upon the person he once placed his trust in. For most of the day Andras sits upon his bed thinking and plotting and by the end of it is still no closer to a solution. One thing he did realise though is that he will need his right arm. He stands up with difficulty and unlocks his door, he sets off towards the shaping halls planning to disobey the councils orders. On his way he passes by the practice hall for magic and an idea hits him. He stops in his tracks thinking about all the rules that the shapers have and whether his plan will break any. Halfway through his checks he decides that it doesn’t matter. He enters the magic hall to find it empty, he smiles. Andras sits on one of the platforms and begins his work. He focuses energy through his right shoulder and out into the air besides it, with a thought Andras causes it to become flames and when he looks down he can see the shape of an arm blazing from his shoulder. He smiles again. With another thought it turns to ice, and another turns it to lightning. Andras begins to move the energy like he used to move his arm and after half an hour he stands up and begins to move around while controlling his improvised arm. Andras creates a sword shape in the hand of his new arm and begins to practice his swordplay. After several hours of training Andras feels slightly confident with his improvised arm. He can move it as fast as his thoughts can process and can create a weapon in its hand. He can also use magic and shape from it. He retreats to his bedroom after allowing the magic to disperse. Once in his room he falls onto his bed and surrenders to his tiredness. When Andras wakes the next morning he pushes himself up with the aid of his improvised arm smiling. He begins to plan once more how he will hope to get revenge on Saraph. Once again the day passes and Andras has little more idea than he had in the morning. He leaves his room and goes to get something to eat, on his way to the kitchens he is spotted by another shaper. Immediately the shaper shouts about illegal activity, moments later the whole citadels alarm system is sounding. Andras realises that he still had a blazing arm of flames spouting from his shoulder but it is too late he turns about and runs. Behind him he can hear shouts of pursuit, moments later thorns begin to ricochet from the walls next to him. He increases his pace even further when flames begin to strike against the walls also. Andras is just at the corner when one of the flaming missiles strikes him in his left leg. He falls down in agony and focuses his magic around him creating a tunnel through space to his home in Dillame. The air blurs and once again he feels like he is being torn apart from every point on his skin. When he arrives at his home he lands on the stone floor of the entrance hall. He takes a deep breath before he looks down at his leg that screams with pain. He sees half of his leg is missing and the other half is singed or burnt. He pulls out his sword and grits his teeth. He inhales a deep breath through his nose before bringing his own sword down heavily upon his own leg severing it from his body. Quickly he begins to heal the wound and stop the bleeding. He once again begins to practice using magic to improvise a new leg. He could have shaped a new one at this point but his experimentation with his arm left him to realise that a magical limb is much faster and stronger than any limb he could shape himself. He sits upon the floor adapting to using magic constantly for movement.

Chapter 19 – History As Charlotte nears the front door she begins to reach out with her right arm towards the handle. “I wouldn’t do that.” Charlotte whirls around to see Iraelithe approaching. “Why not?” She queries. “Well, you can never be too safe these days. I placed magical traps on most of the major doors around the house. Now if you would please stand back I can let you in.” Charlotte steps away from the door and allows Iraelithe to approach it. He places his hand against the door and pushes it open, he waits for a moment before stepping across the boundary. Charlotte follows behind him into a small room with a couple of chairs and a log fire. Hundreds of books stand of bookshelves around the room and there are two doors exiting the room. Iraelithe lights a couple of candles and sits in one of the two chairs that surround the fireplace. Charlotte feels awkward standing up and takes a seat in the other chair. Iraelithe points towards the fire and for a second nothing happens, Charlotte is about to ask the meaning of his action when the logs resting in the fireplace burst into flames. Charlotte feels the heat from the fire immediately warming her and feels relaxed for the first time in weeks. The two of them sit there in silence for just over an hour, each person giving the other room to think. Iraelithe suddenly stands up and speaks. “Best get something to eat on eh? I’m sure your getting hungry.” Charlotte nods and Iraelithe vanishes though one of the doors, Charlotte glimpses a large cooking pit on the other side. While Iraelithe cooks Charlotte begins to looks around the room and at all the books. Most of which look slightly charred or melted. Iraelithe walks in as Charlotte is looking over the books, he watches as she looks at the spines without reading the words. “They are all various research journals I have found upon my travels. You are welcome to read them although I doubt you would understand the subjects they are about.” Charlotte jumps when she hears Iraelithe’s voice but by the end of his speech she looks down when she replies. “You would be right. I can’t read, never mind understand subjects that are written in books.” Iraelithe looks upon her face and posture, unlike the usual alert and confident posture, he can see that deep down she is upset and wants to be better. Iraelithe pardons himself as whistling sounds from the room behind him and he goes to finish making food. Charlotte pulls herself together and continues looking over the books occasionally pulling one off the shelf to look at the cover, she opend one and flicked through the pages but found it all to be writing with very few pictures so she resigned herself to admiring the quality of the bindings. Iraelithe pops his head around the door and informs her that food is ready and that they eat in the room he cooked in. She walks through the door to find another small room with a few cupboards and a fire pit in the centre. There sits a table in the corner with two plates of steaming food on. She sits on the opposite side of the table to Iraelithe and begins to eat. Once both of them have finished Iraelithe begins to speak. “I noticed earlier that you seemed upset, is there a way that I may help?” Charlotte looks up at him. “You have already helped more than most and I thank you for your generosity.” Iraelithe smiles before thinking a moment. “Let us leave these plates at the table and retire to the social room, we can talk in more comfort there.” They stand up and Charlotte follows him into the front room, they take their earlier seats and Iraelithe continues to speak. “I will tell you about my life so that you may better understand why I want to help you.” He pauses for effect. “I grew up in Thornton, I was from a wealthy family and my father was a Shaper. This gave me an automatic acceptance into the shaper academy where I studied for many years to become a fully fledged Agent.” He sees a flicker of confusion on Charlottes face. “The shapers are a mix of three different factions, while to outsiders they are all called shapers they take up different roles. The factions that make up shaper ranks are Guardians, Agents and of course Shapers. They all have the power to shape but to differing degrees. Anyway I passed my tests and became a fully fledged Agent. I was sent out to do many different jobs for the shaper council and I saw that my efforts helped to bring peace to the lands. I did my work well and in return I was allowed to learn more advanced magic which allowed me to perform more delicate missions for the shapers. By the time I had grown too old to work as an agent I was too valuable to the shapers with all the wisdom I had gained over the years. I became an adviser to a general, and while I was content in that position it was not helping as much as I could have helped. I petitioned for a position teaching at the academy but it was declined, I knew too much about the lay of the land to be left at a stationary post. I began to take a couple of soldiers that showed potential to use magic and teach them the basic forms along with a basic set of rules that they must absolutely never break. For many years I continued this effort without being found out. That was until one of my students became pinned down in battle and while a shaper was watching he summoned magic to save his life and continue fighting. I prayed that the shaper would forget what he saw in the chaos of the battle but fate frowned upon me that day. The shaper brutally interrogated the man that was not given permission to learn magic. They found out about my secret teachings and exiled me. I was given permission to continue to use and research magic but I am never to shape or teach magic to anyone.” Charlotte’s jaw is handing open by the end of his tale and when she realises she snaps it shut. She is speaking to a shaper, well he was once anyway.

I have thought of an interesting twist and an addition to the Shaping world for what happens with Saraph when he finds out about his hometown. Sharx.

I would keep the game as a save file in case you recieve a solution though. Sharx.

I know Saraph doesn't when he reads it.

Yeh I kindof did realise my mistake about the councillor just hoped that no one would notice hehe. Lifecrafters abilities are also in the name realy so I didn't think I would need to introduce them formally. Currently at my dads so I'm unable to write some more but I will continue the next chapter when I get home. Sharx.

Chapter 18 – Isolated In Timeless Harmony Charlotte steps into the empty street and sees the flicker of the old mans robes disappear around another corner. She runs down the street and rounds the corner to see the man disappear around yet another corner. Charlotte feels a little irritation but runs to catch up with the man. As she turns round the second corner she sees a blaze of light in her peripheral vision, immediately she dives forwards into a roll grabbing her knife as she jumps back up her senses waiting for the slightest of indication of another attack. She looks around quickly and sees the old man standing in the middle of the street relaxed and at ease. She realises that it was him that attacked and repositions herself into a more ready position. She realises that this old man is capable of using magic, it dawns on her soon after that if he really wished to he could probably tear her apart with ease. “So what’s your story? Is it that your searching for a friend?” he pauses. “No if that were it you wouldn’t be so cautious. Maybe you are looking for revenge?” he studies Charlotte’s face and picks up on a slight tightening of her jaw. “Yes, I’m not losing it in my old age. So what happened to bring you to this fair city? What is so terrible that you travel miles to avenge it?” Charlotte becomes confused by the old mans muttering but soon realises that he is waiting for an answer to something. She thinks upon what the old man said and finds the question. She begins to explain to the man about her town and her family. She explains that her brother was taken to Dillame by a shaper and how she had gone hunting. She begins to explain about how her town was destroyed and her journey here. She then goes on to explain her report to the citadel and her attempt to join the shaper army. Charlotte doesn’t know why she’s telling this stranger but for some reason she feels that he is a friend even after his attack. While she speaks she relaxes and by the time she has finished she sheaths her knife. The old man looks her over and begins to think upon something. “Where will you go now then?” “I don’t know, I though I may go to Dillame and try to locate my brother.” The old man nods to her comment. “Your brother isn’t at Dillame, he is probably miles away in the ashen isles by now. I have a small hut several miles from the city though where you can rest for a few days and plan your journey.” Charlotte thinks for a moment and realises it’s the best offer she has had so far and decides that it would be nice to travel slowly for a while and rest in a proper bed. She nods her head and the old man sets off again out of the alleyway, this time going slower. Charlotte falls into step besides him and walks silently. The two of them walk through the city and leave through the main gate. The old man turns east once out of the city and Charlotte follows. “Oh and I’m terribly sorry for attacking you earlier, I had to make sure that you can look after yourself before I made any offers to you.” The old man speaks the words as if he had just remembered a trivial fact. Charlotte laughs and replies that she is used to it and it wasn’t a problem. The two of them continue for several miles before they reach the edge of a forest. During the journey few words are spoken and none had any importance until Charlotte realised that she didn’t know his name. As they walk beneath the forest canopy she speaks. “What is your name?” The old man doesn’t reply for several seconds and charlotte begins to think that either he is going slightly deaf and didn’t hear her or that he isn’t going to answer. “I have been called many names but you may call me Iraelithe.” Charlotte walks onwards in silence. Soon after an hour later she sees a spot of light in the distance. “We are nearly there, the light you see is the clearing where my house lies.” Charlotte quickens her pace and soon after she steps into a medium sized clearing. In the centre is a small hut it looks to contain at most three rooms. In front of the hut are two flat tree stumps polished smooth and large enough to curl up on. A small stone path extends from the front door to the end of the small garden. Charlotte looks at the clearing and feels like she is isolated from the world. Everything sits in timeless harmony. She takes a deep breath and walks forward into the garden and towards the front door.

Well it has been a while but I have found time to continue the story. The past two weeks have been a bit of a mess to be honest, I left home and lived in some woods about 20 miles away. When I remembered that I had a college interveiw which I couldn't miss so I decided that I should return home and sort things out. So now I'm back and rested I will continue with the story. For your veiwing pleasure I present chapter 17... Chapter 17 – Departure Saraph sits in the throne for hours as the soldiers count the losses and bury the dead. The battle alphas Saraph created fell apart hours after the battle due to Saraph’s haste. They did their job and now they are no more, Saraph tried to fix them but he only managed to save a small amount before his time ran out. They are yet another casualty of the war against the shapers. Saraph reflects upon his decisions he made, his haste to betray the shapers. Maybe his haste in betraying the shapers was like the haste he made the battle alpha. Easy to do but short lasting and regretful. Saraph sits in the stone throne unmoving, a painted sculpture created by Hephaestus, the crafter of the gods. His mind races with questions about himself and the rebellion, from what he observed the rebellion is sinking to the shapers level to overthrow them. His thoughts are disturbed when a soldier walks into the shaping hall and walks across the length of the room to bow at the foot of the throne. Since the battle the soldiers and lifecrafters at the fort have begun to bow on the streets and get uncomfortable in his presence, the same way a mouse would get uncomfortable around a cat. Saraph calls him to rise. The soldier rises and straightens up taking a couple of deep breaths to steady himself. “Sir, the casualty reports are back. We have lost more than half the garrison and only a couple of lifecrafters remain. Our walls remain minimally damaged and the gates have been fixed and reinforced.” The soldier manages to get the words out if only just. Saraph nods and the soldier departs hastily. Saraph decides that it is time he should be leaving the fort he plans his route back to the fortress beneath the mountain before he stands up and strides across the shaping hall and out of the citadel. When Saraph steps out onto the street he looks around to see a thick plume of black, oily smoke rising to the west. He proceeds to walk down the southern street while observeing the damage caused to the various buildings around. He arrives at the gate and gives orders to the guard that Phineus is in charge of the fort until further aid arrives. “We are barely able to hold off a pack of wolves, if the shapers return we will be slaughtered.” The guard pleads to Saraph. Saraph sighs and focuses for a moment before summoning several clawbugs and vlish. “They should be sufficient at causing confusion within any attacker’s ranks.” Saraph turns and departs after instructing the newly made creations to obey the guard’s orders. Saraph runs down the road to the mountain path glad to be putting distance between him and the fort. He treasures the wind that whips against his face and tangles his uncut hair that flows behind him. Saraph feels free after the days encased in the problems of the fort. His elation gets greater and greater and he realises that for the moment Saraph is happy with the power that the rebels promise. His thoughts flick to his family that he left behind and wonders what they are doing. He smiles at the thought of family. Saraph reaches the mountain pass and turns east running throughout the night to get to the base of the rebel’s mountain fort. As he reaches the path up to the main gate he slows down to a walk and begins to ascend the slope. His step heavy with confidence at the success of his mission.

Apologies for the waiting I kinda left home for a week or so so I haven't had internet or computer access. I am planning on carying on this story, I have a college interveiw tomorrow so it will probaby be wednesday that i manege to continue it. Sorry for the many spelling mistakes its very late and I'm awefully tired. Sharx

person 5) I'll summon a servile to get over my life for me person 1) Doesn't that make you the same as the shapers? person 5) No I set the servile free after its work so it can rebel and destroy the world.

And then bob says "I told you so."

Yeh but then something always goes amiss and shapers are forced to revert back to their inefficient ways.

True but I doubt you would find a book on createing a drakon...

He gets a shocking awakening sometime soon.

Oh right. Hmm well I'm not a scripter, so I couldn't explain the problem right off mabey a scripter may be able to offer feedback. (hint hint )