Sunday 4 September 2011

Stress

Nothing is going right at the moment.

The Artefact is gone. The pages have disappeared. My Master has fallen ill.

I don't know what to do.

Monday 25 July 2011

Discipline

Shortly after my last post, I was studying in a secret facility with three of my trusted helpers. We were assaulted by a man in a Soul Mask and the Artefact was taken.

He knocked me unconscious. He was extremely well prepared and a skilled fighter. I saw no Reader, so we are not assuming that he was working for ZEdobElFZGxiblJzWlcxaGJnPT0= but he did reek of Mist... We think it was a cover.

I have been disciplined and my three helpers are dead.

If I ever see him again I will make sure I kill him for what he has done. It is the right thing to do.

Saturday 16 July 2011

The Sphere

Finally I get a chance to update again.

I've been running around a lot lately and been very busy. I won't be able to start posting pages again until Thursday and I have my hands on that related Artefact.

It it a perfect sphere with lines all around it. It was found in a box covered in Theurgic inscriptions and traps. Explosive Runes. Always annoying. We got it open after about a week of trials and a lot of pain. My left leg is still bandaged up, but it's healing fine. Burns won't keep me down for long, especially with the type of bandage we used to numb the pain.

It is about the size of a football (a soccer ball, for those of you in America) and is made of iron and bronze, but is very light. Surprisingly light. It doesn't feel empty, either, just light.

We've been studying it, but it doesn't seem to open. Something is missing. Maybe there is a key we need?

---

And to those who have asked: My Master has no family that I know of. Or, at least, he doesn't talk of any family. I think the name is just a coincidence. Mason is a common name, after all.

Tuesday 12 July 2011

Still Alive

Just a quick update.

I got home to London, went to bed, woke up, and then there was an earthquake.

I helped my Master clean up and deal with people.

The public needs protection from Theurgic accidents that big.

Tuesday 28 June 2011

Leaving Again

No page 3 because they have uncovered something else in the Grand Library that my Master wants me to check out. I'll be gone for at least a week.

Apparently there is something besides these 10 pages I have that have to do with this. I'll return with more news soon enough.

I'd update while I was away, but Theurgy-proofing my laptop once was hard enough and moving it would undo all my work.

Monday 27 June 2011

Page 002

Here is the new page.

The leaf shape in the middle on the original is hypnotising. It is the darkest of blacks but it doesn't stain through the page. It doesn't look drawn or filled... It just is. I just drew the outline as I don't feel I could replicate it.

The eye shape with the long lashes is also more symmetrical in the original drawing. I'm not a very good artist.

I would also like to apologise as I made a mistake on page 1. The first symbol on the lower set of symbols is upside down. It should look more like a u than an n. I am very sorry if this has confused anyone.

Sunday 26 June 2011

Page 001

The first page can be found here.

The symbol on the right is the Ignis symbol and the one on the left is the Terra symbol. Those symbols are used quite a bit in Theurgic rituals. This has something to do with Earth and Fire Theurgy.

Everything else is odd.

Crazy Image

They won't let me scan them into the computer, so I'm going to have to copy them all by hand to see if I can get them on here.

I'll have something by tomorrow.

Friday 24 June 2011

Lack of Updates

I have been away with my Master for the last few weeks at the Grand Library. It is in a vault under Rome. My Master gave me the challenge of deciphering all the manuscripts made by a certain author over 300 years ago and I managed it. He was quite proud.

I did, however, find something rather strange by the same author. A collection of codes and pictures, but they were in pristine condition. They weren't aged at all.

Tempus was only discovered 120 years ago, so he couldn't have used that to keep them clean. It is all the same handwriting and they were in a box I found about 3 miles into the Archive and that place is kept tight. The box was dated and sealed about 280 years ago, so it couldn't have been tampered with or they would know.

My Master has given me the extra challenge of working all this out. I'll start posting the pieces tomorrow. For now I need rest.

Monday 6 June 2011

Notes and Reference III

Iron and Steel
It is a known fact that iron has special properties that are lost in the conversion to steel, even though it gains strength and durability.

Iron is a very useful weapon against Fey and Theurges. It has the ability to maintain a small amount of Aether around it, cutting off any Theurgy in the area. As a weapon it can get through the Theurgic defences of the Fey and as an armour it is useful to protect yourself from Theurgy.

Many Theurges, myself included, wear specially stitched gloves on their off-hand that are laced with iron. While not a comfortable material to wear and often worn over silk, it can allow the Theurge to re-stitch the Aether by moving the hand through it. This cancels any Theurgy in progress and can also be used in Duels as a defence, though in Official IGT Duels this material is banned as it ruins the sport.

Thursday 2 June 2011

Leaving

Vincent and Paul are leaving now. The Master is taking them somewhere away from here to cleanse them of the Mist.

I'm practising my Ignis again. The Master says I may need it in the future but that only worries me. He has a habit of predicting the future very accurately.

Tuesday 31 May 2011

Theurgic Void

Cardiff has now become a Void in which no Theurgy can be used. It is rather worrisome as it has put a lot of Theurges out of business in the area and forced them to relocate.

It was centred on Sophia Gardens, which can only mean that He is involved somehow. A few people were found in His base of operations there and my Master has relocated them to London, putting some of the younger ones in an orphanage.

There are two staying here with my Master. A man named Vincent and another named Paul. They keep asking "where is she?" but won't say who they are referring to, as if they don't know her name. They reek of the Mist.

I am worried about them, but also wary that they will attract His attention to us.

I don't want to die like that. Not in the way He kills.

Sunday 29 May 2011

Disturbance

There has been a huge Theurgic explosion in Cardiff this morning. My Master has gone to check it out now.

Massive waves of Theurgic energy even reached here in London. I was practising my Ignis and it caused me to lose control and set the curtains on fire. Luckily I keep plenty of water around when practising it, isn't it?

We don't know what the cause could be yet and I'm sure my Master will tell me when he returns.

Wednesday 25 May 2011

Notes and Reference II

Nekros and Zoì
Two forms of Theurgy that overlap somewhat but are discernable by the trained eye. A quick look at their history can help understand them.

Nekros originates in the Roman Empire in 21 BC. Its purpose was to develop a way to stop the civil wars and keep the civilians at bay, but it went horribly wrong and many Theurges died attempting to use it. Discovering the ability to effect peoples' life force allowed them to take control of such a large area of the world.

Zoì originated in Greece in about 200 years prior to Nekros, but did not become heavily used until the discovery of Nekros. Greek Theurges used their power of protection and healing in competition with the Necrotheurges.

The competition lead to the Battle of Life and Death, held on Othonol which ended roughly 500 of the most powerful Theurges at the time.

After the battle, the remaining Theurges learned from each other, which is why some Zoì has Latin names and some Nekros has Greek names. It is also the reason that most form of healing are classified as Nekros instead of Zoì; They were invented in Rome and manipulated life force rather than the Aether in order to heal.

Monday 23 May 2011

Notes and Reference I

Toxin [A]
Common name: Mist
Effect: Aether thinning
Side-Effects: Insomnia, Psychosis, Memory Loss

Notes: Useful for pulling apart the Aether for easier use of Theurgy, but the side-effects of prolonged exposure are generally not worth it to anyone other than an experienced Ziotheurge due to their Sana Infirmitatem ability.


-----


Toxin [D]
Common Name: Illusory Draught
Effect: Major Hallucinations
Side-Effects: Addiction, Insomnia, Memory Loss, Seizures


Notes: A powerful drug with extremely addictive properties. Used by elderly Theurges who can experience the main effect without worrying about how long until the side-effects kick in, which is normally a few years of weekly use.
Craftsmen have been known to lace Soul Masks with this to create a drawing-effect since minor doses can cause addiction without the hallucinations. This creates a dependence on the Mask and sees return custom if it breaks. The IGT have prosecuted many Craftsmen who have done this.

Friday 20 May 2011

Progress and Masks

I have successfully raised the dead! I kind of messed up with the other souls but on the final one I managed it. He's sleeping now and wasn't talking much before he went. He seemed to be deep in thought.

He wouldn't tell me his name. He's in his mid-twenties and has the most peculiar green eyes.

He kept muttering "Kill... Mist..."

But that last statement worries me... I wonder if he's been infected with Toxin in the past? It would have been cleansed from his system when he was dead, but how did he contact him? As a Chosen? Linked? I hope that I'm wrong altogether.

-----

I wrote all that an hour ago. He woke up as I typed it all.

His name is David Morris and he lived in Cardiff, but is originally from somewhere in Kent. He has chosen a name to escape his old identity. Vadiir (VAH-deer).

His mask and a couple of items were Soul-Bound and he summoned then right in front of me. That mask. It will haunt my dreams. It looks like it's been repaired a dozen times and been through a lot of battle. He called it the Smiling Clown Mask but I doubt he was as playful as the name would suggest. Maybe as tragic?

He also summoned a black knife about as long as my forearm. The image is disturbing.

He left not long ago. I asked him where he was going and he replied quite accurately. "Algona, Iowa."

I don't know why he would want to go there. But I could tell that his face would be matching the smirk on his mask as he said it.

Monday 16 May 2011

Progress

I seem to be getting closer.

Should only be a few days until I've done this.

I'm getting excited but I have to remain calm or this won't work.

Friday 13 May 2011

Annoyance and Trials

That maintenance lasted quite a while. It is annoying when I want to post important news.

My Master is going out of town and has left me some Souls. He wants me to practice Necrotheurgy while he is gone.

I plan to do my best for him.

EDIT - For some reason I am having trouble with the timezone on this. This message was actually posted at 10:30 at night.

Tuesday 10 May 2011

My Master

His name is Gregory Mason and was once a normal man. He saw the arrival of ZEdobElFZGxiblJzWlcxaGJnPT0= to our world, but we do not mention him easily so I have hidden his name and what he has done. This is the last time I will mention him.

My Master gained great insight from such a bWluZCBzaGF0dGVyaW5n arrival and became immune to what ZEdobElFZGxiblJzWlcxaGJnPT0= did.

QWx0ZXJlZCB0aW1l introduced Theurgy to the world and he could see the change. He could take advantage of it. Not the first in history to become a Theurge, but certainly the most powerful.

About Me

I am Ezekiel Fox. A boy from London. I am just 17 years old and apprenticed to a great man. He is teaching me an old and hidden art form.

Theurgy. The Art of Magic. Ars Praecantatio.

Not many know what it is and fewer learn to control it properly. It really is amazing. I've been learning for the last four years and it feels like I'll never be as good as him.

He has also been teaching me some Alchemy. I'm much better at that than I am with Theurgy. I guess I just have a knack for science rather than art?