Character Development > Development Journals and Discussion
Tipsy Oak - Magic and Archery
davidhoff:
Journal Post 1:
I have decided to keep a journal of my efforts to combine magic with my use of the bow. Aaron, the man I met in the Ulan forest, told me that my knowledge of magic could help me with my archery. He said magic has been combined with the use of the bow by elves for as long as they have history. It was not a practice in our village or by any wood elves I had heard of, but I did read books about elves of the past called Arcane Archers that were able to mix magic and archery. Aaron told me of an elderly elf named Vycon Elirith that lives in the woods outside Fort Thunder that was a great Arcane Archer. He suggested I seek him out for knowledge. I will endeavor to do this.
My time in Center was short. I heard of a band of adventurers gathering in Storm Crest to answer a call to aid, so I headed there. It was a large group of outcasts and odd sorts. I don't think I fit in well. I did meet Hank and Barley who seemed to like me and we understood each other well. The others mostly seemed selfish and some were even proclaimed Shadonites. Our endeavor was successful and we rescued a gnome and his gnome comrades from the grasps of a nasty wizard named Tinks.
I've been trying to remember some of the spells mom taught me. I can feel the magic in me and I know with more practice I will be able to begin casting spells. I've been waxing my old hickory bow that dad gave me. The string is worn, but the wood still has good strength. I will need to make some more arrows soon. It's funny how I sit and look at my bow and arrows now. I wonder how it works to get the magic in me into the wood of the bow and my arrows? I sometimes hold my bow in one hand and an arrow in the other and try to concentrate on my magic. I don't know if it's doing anything, but for now I think it may be a good exercise to start trying to channel magic into the bow. I look forward to meeting this Vycon but I'm a bit anxious. For now I will keep trying to recall my magic. I also have an idea I will try tomorrow where I will try and close my eyes when I have an arrow knocked and aimed at the target...and then with my eyes closed concentrate on my magic as I let the arrow go. We'll see....
davidhoff:
Journal Post 2:
I have found some maps that I believe will lead me to this Vycon. I am excited to meet him but nervous. I have been practicing my drills with some success. I have felt some energy flowing from me to my bow and my hand held arrows during the concentration drill, but I'm not sure, it could be I am imagining it...or possibly wishing too much for it to happen. I have also been working more on some basic cantrip spell casting and, there too, I have been able to cast some broken spells. I am close to getting them to work consistently. Once I get a hold of my spell casting, I am hopefully that the synergy between the casting and the archery will more clear.
I will make the trip to Vycon soon. Maybe tomorrow. I have been gathering items around the Center area and I believe I have enough true to pay the Merchant tax and be able to work in the crafting areas. Then I can start work on some hickory arrows and maybe even try some work on oak. I need resources and I pray to Folian I am strong enough to venture out in these unknown areas to find them.
I pray to Folian about my research and study to mix magic and archery. I pray every night. I am confident he will show me my path toward this next step in my life and I pray for his guidance in my pursuits. I will sleep now and if I feel strong at day break I will go to sojourn to Vycon.
davidhoff:
Journal Post 3:
My journey went well through the woodlands outside Forth Thunder and I arrived at the modest cottage of Vycon. His front door swung wide as I approached and he met my eyes like he knew me my whole life. It was a well and good feeling. He motioned me in and pointed to a chair at his dining table. I sat as he ladled us both some hot gruel that he seemed overly proud about. We sat there a while just slurping and looking at each other. When we were both done he gathered our bowls up and put them near the water basin and said "tell me now why you have come". We spoke in good length. I explained all I had heard about mixing magic and bow and told him about meeting Aaron. I went through some of the drills I had concocted on my own and my practice so far. He mostly listened, but when I told him about my drills his eyes widened a bit.
He said I had discovered his first lesson on my own. He said that all elves have the innate ability to become arcane archers like him, but it only comes through meditation and concentration. He told me to keep up with my meditation exercises and to focus on generating magic within me and channeling it through my arms and fingers into my bow and the arrows I knock. This will lead me to a synergy of both. He agreed it will take time and much practice. He suggested I keep studying as a wizard and as an archer as the dual training will compliment each other.
He gave me a new exercise too. He told that when practicing with my bow that I should knock and arrow and draw it back and hold. Then, before I release, I close my eyes and prepare one of my offensive spells. Then, with my eyes closed, I focus the spell on the target and cast it ahead at the same time that I release the knocked arrow. While doing that I am to concentrate letting the magic spell release through my fingers and into the arrow and let the arrow take the magic to the target. He said to be patient with this one and careful. The spell could release early on my fingers and as he said that he lifted up his palms to show me some aged scars and redness.
He got up and opened the front door. Our lesson and conversation was over. I went to discuss our next meeting and he shushed me and smiled. I left and I'm now on my way back to Arnax. I'm excited about the days ahead and my heart is warm with knowing Vycon.
davidhoff:
Journal Post 4:
My magic has increased. I have found the ability to cast the cantrips my mother was teaching me and also some first circle spells. It is a good feeling. I have been keeping with all my drills and meditations. I have especially been practicing the eyes-closed simultaneous launching of an arrow with an offensive spell. I started out with flare, and then frost ray and then acid splash. I felt that order was my safest bet. I made sure to get flare down well first before moving to the others. The results have been scattered as far as success and some what frustrating. I do feel improvement, but it's slow going. The difficult part is getting the spell to leave my fingers and enter the arrow so that it's effects travel with the arrow instead of offending the arrow itself. I know it time this transition will improve.
I will see Vycon soon. I feel I'm ready for his next instruction and I look forward to gushing on my success so far and allow him to tweak my training.
I must get stronger if I am to defeat the enemies of the forest. My friend, Hank, and I ran into some Duegar dwarves on patrol in the Silkwood forest. We were outmatched by their skill and might. I allowed my fright to overcome me and ran into a territorial Ettercap that casted his web on me as the Duegars pursued me. It was my end, but I pray Folian uses it to teach me. I await the day when my magical archery improves and I can pay them a return visit. Until then I will keep practicing my magic and archery, and by Folian I will become the Arcane Archer that is within me.
davidhoff:
Journal Post 5:
I went to see Vycon again. My magic has increased and I felt it was time to see him. He was happy to see me and we ate more of his gruel. He was impressed with my training so far and progress. He had to leave to go on an errand so our time was brief. He gave me a new drill. I told him I had learned the magic weapon spell and he said this was good. He said that one day I will be able to enchant all my arrows to a power far greater than any magic weapon spell, but that the spell would be useful in training. He instructed me to concentrate on casting the spell not on my bow, but on my arrows. To hold a bundle of arrows and to let the spell flow into my fingers as I grasp the arrows and direct the spell into the arrows. To draw on my fathers, and the fathers before them, and to be aware of the elven blood flowing in my veins. Aware in a deeper way than just acknowledging my heritage, but to feel the blood as it pumps into my arms and to concentrate on it as I cast the spell. He said this drill will help me to start to release the elven magic in my blood and train my blood to react in a way to enchant my arrows with magic.
I will endeavor to keep with my training. I was side tracked briefly. I met a certain dwarf at Bullseye and we sat at a table. I wish I could remember his name. Well the last thing I know is the waitress was impressed to see an elf and dwarf at the same table so she bought us a round of shots. So it went from there. I remember briefly making my way to Saddle Bag, but unfortunately most is a blur. I can not be hindered again by this type of activity. My training is too serious now. I look forward to resuming my drills and meditations.
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