Apex IC

[Ridai]

"So, you know how anything humanoid that isn't a really powerful full caster isn't a real threat to an Apex, right? They have their troops and minions, sure, but a fighter or paladin or the like won't ever be taken serious, and even stuff like bards are mostly decent agents and fun at parties. But there are some freak outliers. Lancers are one of them. Whereas most highly skilled mundanes might leap across a street or a small chasm, Lancers leap over freaking mountains. And anything they leap at is hit with such force that it is said that the best of them can annihilate wyrms in one strike. There's a story of one of them leaping from the top of mountain into the sky, and barreling down onto a castle in the valley, punching a tunnel through several storeys and impaling the evil king hiding in its center with his polearm, before leaping back out the way he came. Most never see them coming, and they are like a demigod's precision artillery. Though they were never numerous or very active in the world, that didn't stop Apexes from hunting them down and eradicating them. The public message is that the Lancers are nefarious mass murderers and they could strike at any time, anywhere, murdering innocents left and right, and thus need to be stopped. The more likely version is that in the eyes of Apexes, Lancers manage to be dangerous enough to be a threat, but they don't have the kind of importance other Apexes have, so they are fair game to eliminate. Rumor has it that the king in the story was an Apex protege who let his newfound might go to his head and threatened the Lancers' homeland, and they thus retaliated, accidentally sending a message that they can and will oppose and kill Apexes if needed. Eve heard they managed to find and kill most of them (which they like to sell as "all of them"), but at least one is still unaccounted for, and somehow, despite all the might they have, they have been unable to find them, which honestly is all sorts of baffling, as Lancers aren't exactly known for ungodly stealth or immunity to divinations. They're, ultimately, just really strong-legged people with very pointy sticks."

----------------

At supper, Katarina gets exactly what she wished for. She knows Irmin's cuisine is always more than exquisite, but she notices that somehow, even with such a relatively simple dish, he went above and beyond, which is unusual even for a gifted chef like Irmin. The first announcement creates excitement, the staff clearly having ideas about what to do with the gems for personal things they are keeping a secret for now, with the exceptions being Carina and Remy.

Carina: "You are too kind. I don't want any for myself... but perhaps I can make some adornments for our Custodians? Some gems would look so wonderful on them." Carina rarely takes for herself if offered. Sybilla and Meave do take care of the Custodians, but Carina also likes to tend to them, treating them like real people, with all the love she gives to the other members of the staff, no matter how limited or not their intellect may be.

Remy: "I have everything I need in life, and Lia and Ila are hardly impressed by 'mutilated rocks', as they would put it, so I decline the kind offer with many thanks." Remy indeed seems quite happy with where he is in life and what he has. Everyone can tell that he is living a fulfilled life, thanks to what he can do every day, and most importantly his true love for his twin dryads.


The second announcement raises eyebrows (and a dirty cackle from Meave, receiving a swift little slap to the back of the head from Sybilla). Sybilla and Carina are already in love with the idea, saying how majestic pegasi are. Amelyn seems to be busy picturing what Katarina describes, seeming to end up at a wordless expression of "Yeah, not bad". Remy seems happy about adding animals to the estate and, naturally, volunteers as the caretaker. Irmin, too, seems to look forward to this, mentioning that while no horse wanted to carry around all his mass, he always had a soft spot for caring for them (and that a pegasus would result in a nice source for fertilizer). Eve mentions she will inform the carpenter accordingly, as pegasi like to nest high, and that adding a pegasus to the public image would be quite striking. And finally, in between quiet snickering, Meave quips:

"Hey, might as well go for a sparkling unicorn pegasus!" Clearly meant in jest (as they usually go for the very best for Katarina), Amelyn getting a chuckle out of this, and Sybilla starting to reprimand Meave for not taking this seriously, only for Remy to chime in.

"We could indeed go look for a unicorn pegasus," which leads to Meave laughing out loud ("My man!") and taking Amelyn with her, Sybilla starting to look rather cross, while the rest enjoys everyone having a good time (for the most part). Remy has a pleasant expression as this all happens. "That was not a joke, you know."

Which gives the table some pause. "Whaaaaat?!" "No way!" And Carina and Sybilla being even more enamored with the whole idea now, audibly so.

Eve looks to Katarina with a smile and an amused shrug at the situation, pretty much letting her know that she feels any brand of pegasus would do, with or without the horn. Knowing her secretary, Eve is already having Katarina's back in this endeavor and is likely already making mental preparations.

[MikelaC1]

Do you happen to know the best place to look for a unicorn pegasus? Katarina was not even aware that such a creature existed, but then, thats just one of the reasons for having Remy around, you cant know everything about everything and every member of her staff has their own talents. There are probably even areas of her operation that she isnt aware of, trusting Eve in all matters of administration, and Irmin has politely but firmly made the kitchen off limits to her. (especially after the last batch of burnt chocolate chip cookies)

[Ridai]

"Unicorn pegasi are very rare, only happening if a particularly strong and pure pegasus mates with an equally noteworthy unicorn, and even then the chance is relatively low. A unicorn pegasus' chance of having offspring like itself also requires a similar bond, or mating with another unicorn pegasus. Them being as rare and remarkable as they are, they are naturally highly coveted by good champions and outsiders to aid them in their quests, and fey also have an interest in them. So they don't really have a go-to place of origin. But Ila, Mia, and I listen to nature, so we occasionally get some glimpses. There is an enchanted forest, hidden between the Moonspire mountains, where we may find one. They tend to avoid attention of civilization, much like their parents, prefer both higher altitudes and forests, and are drawn towards places inclined towards good and suffused by magical energies. Just be prepared for them being sapient, intelligent beings, much like unicorns and pegasi."

[MikelaC1]

Okay, here is what we are going to do. We will buy about 50 acres of the land that is right next to the estate, on the edge of your enchanted garden/forest. Then Remy, you, your dryads and I will turn into forested land, using magic to speed up the process, that will also suffuse the spot with magical energy, which will make her feel at home. The stable, such as it will be, will be built right at the edge of the forest, how much she ends up using it will be up to her, but it will be there for her as she wishes. We might even put a small mountain in the middle of the forest only an Apex would casually talk about placing a mountain somewhere so she has both forest and altitude as she pleases. Plus since we are the coast, she can soar out over the ocean if she needs. Once everything is built, that should only take a week or so, we make a road trip to the forest to see if we can convince one to join us. Pity that I probably wont be able to name her, Ive always been partial to Northern Dancer but you cant have everything. In the evenings of all this construction, Amelyn, you and I will research that tome. Comments, concerns, questions?

[Ridai]

(The cliff the city is located on isn't next to the ocean, it's inland. Basically the end of a large plateau)

Eve gives a professional smile. "I will make arrangements right away." And she says this like acquiring 50 acres in a day and having a high quality stable built in a week is merely a bit of light exercise. Remy, too, seems not too concerned with the coming task, and Amelyn seems excited about getting to take a look at the Shaldrin Records.

[MikelaC1]

With everyone set to their tasks, Katarina goes to look through the haul of gems, taking Sybilla along with her. Katarina knows what she is looking for right away, she seeks out 5 specific gems. She wants the largest (although hopefully relatively the same size) that she can find of a diamond (it can be a little bigger), a sapphire, an emerald, a ruby and an amethyst. Those five gems will be crafted into a tiara (with the diamond being the middle piece). She will also pick out one or two other items that interest her. She will also help Sybilla find the perfect pieces for her, trying on necklaces, tiaras and other things until she gets it just right. She will also find what she considers to be the best of the best in rings, and put it on her finger personally.
After that is done, she will inform the staff (not seeking anyone out, just whenever she meets one), that the gem trove is now open for browsing.

[Ridai]

Katarina finds quite the remarkable pieces for her planned tiara. Her take only consists almost only out of gems (since that is what Liam gathered from the hoard, true to his word), but that seems perfectly fine with Sybilla, seemingly specifically looking (with Katarina's help) for smaller gems for a secret project, but Katarina does find a diamond ring among the pile, and when she puts it on Sybilla's finger, the blush and smile she receives in return makes the Apex genuinely weak in the legs and her heart skip a beat. No one could resist such a look from Sybilla di Varencia, who would love to become Sybilla Sintar.

Once the trove is opened, the other staff members follow the invitation. From what Katarina spots or learns about, Remy does indeed not take anything. Eve only takes a few modest gems. Amelyn pretty much gets herself casting supplies (how often do you just happen across perfectly good diamonds, after all?), but there seem to be some bits that don't seem to fit in that category. Irmin picks out a few smaller sapphires, while Carina actually takes several larger gems and a bunch of smaller ones, all while blushing bashfully, like she is asking herself if this is too much (knowing her, none of these are meant for herself). Meave scores herself the biggest ruby she can get her hands on with a gleeful grin from ear to ear, Katarina practically seeing and hearing the gears in her head. Even after all this, the trove still has 250,000 gold pieces worth of gems left. Meave picking that huge ruby that is way too large to mount in jewelry meant for anything human-sized and Amelyn stocking up on casting resources probably were the biggest shares, but Katarina doesn't get the feeling like anyone felt short-changed or held back. They took what they wanted, and would like to see the rest be invested in the estate or any other of Katarina's endeavors.

[MikelaC1]

Once the gems are claimed, Katarina leaves instructions for Eve to sell off the rest of the hoard, both in Highland and with her contacts in other cities, and use the funds generated to pay for the new land and the stable and to deposit the rest in her accounts. She does have a few ideas of what she wants done with it, but she has enough on her plate right now and will have to put those on the back burner. She leaves instructions with Remy to make preparations for turning the new land into a mini forest and for Sybilla to keep the estate running along because she and Amelyn are going to sequester themselves in the preliminary study of the Records

[Ridai]

"Of course. I will let you know once the transactions are done and the land is purchased. Once you are done with the tome, I would like to lend it for a bit. It has been a while since my last deep dive into arcane lore and I have been feeling a little nostalgic." Eve, while only having modest magical talent (measured by the kind useful in adventuring) nonetheless was a brilliant Mystran student and still enjoys a bit of arcane theory.

"We will prepare seeds to plant and nourish the land," Remy answers, not sounding like creating the forest will take all that long.

Sybilla wishes them much success. The pursuit of magic is core to Katarina's devotion to that very same thing, so she has learned to accept the times where the Apex requires not to be disturbed. Amelyn says she'll let Kit know she'll be busy for a while.

------------------------

Retreating into Katarina's main study, they settle in and start to examine the Shaldrin Records. A first external examination and the way it is made and designed places it at an age around 200 years ago. Beginning to read the tome, it is clear that the contents are dense, complex, and not structured for easy digestibility or as a progression of concepts like modern arcane, divine, and psionic literature, lacking the academic progress as well as the work of the Apexes. This isn't a tome that was meant for publishing or teaching. These are indeed records of an unknown author, and one with a very deep understanding of the workings of magic, and thus due to the author assuming the knowledge of very complex and at times obscure concepts, the very intricate diagrams of arcane and geomantic matrices, the at times outdated terminology, and the winding and complicated sentence structure, the tome is most likely nigh impenetrable to most readers. Katarina, due to her insight, is able to recognize several things she never heard of formally, even if she never really moved among wizardry circles. Amelyn, meanwhile, is completely focused on the pursuit of knowledge, which in the past had contributed to her very rapid progress as a mage. When people let her, she will do nothing but eat, sleep, and learn when there is something to learn, and/or practice. She has started transcription of their findings, as well as a glossary.

During their first day of intense study, Katarina and Amelyn find that the tome contains several findings and hypotheses based on those. It begins with explorations of how magic energies of the various kinds are part of the world and its beings, how they are generated, how they migrate and are converted. Arcane casters grow by increasing their aptitude of manipulating and harnessing energies moving in the world or within themselves. Divine casters align themselves more and more with the core tenets of their deity and its portfolio, becoming better vessels for their power. The natural subsection of divine magic, as practiced most often by druids, attunes itself to the world and its all-encompassing nature, the growth of understanding making them better conduits of its inherent energies. Psionics apparently are a whole different topic unto themselves, as they draw power only from themselves, not needing any sort of external investiture or energies, with even the sorcerers only able to do what they do due to being of a magical bloodline that allows them to generate arcane energies to begin with. Psionics delve into the architecture of their very own minds and unlock hidden potential, they can train their font of energy like a muscle, or they can even tap into the collective unconsciousness of all intelligent life, the latter being a rather nebulous topic (even to this day, though there is no telling what knowledge the one known Apex society mind Auravia may possess and may not share, though almost everything about her is mysterious, but her track record of predicting the course of societies, kingdoms, and wars is nothing short of astounding, when she chooses to share information).

All this serves as a sort of preamble to the author investigating the extent of power that a being can wield. There are, of course, what the tome calls "the powers", namely deities and demigods, beings of nearly unfathomable cosmic power while also having a strong connection to the concepts of their portfolio. Beings like the Lords of Hell and the Demon Lords are adjacent to such beings, even if they rarely achieve the raw might of a deity, and thus still fall under the purview of the term "power". Then there are the outsiders, products of the outer planes and their nature and aspects, as well as the investitures of the powers in some cases, giving them immense potential, with some beings like the solars, titans, and pit fiends being known to wield might of mythical proportions. The dragons, fonts of arcane energy and the predominant source of sorcerer bloodlines, growing inherently more powerful with age, until they rival the most powerful outsiders. The vile aberrations, thought to be spawn of the barely known Far Realms, seemingly untethered by known concepts and conventions applying to most other creatures. At the end of this magical hierarchy seem to be the common races like the human, the elf, the dwarf. Utterly weak and pathetic in the grand scheme of things, yet able to harness energies in astounding ways and able to develop themselves to exceed the capabilities of common examples of their kind by far. Magic, the great equalizer, with ingenuity overcoming raw might in some cases, the common races lacking the powerful inherent forms and abilities of the more powerful races.

Yet despite how extreme magic's power can become, there does seem to be a limit. The author speaks of the theory of the spheres (nowadays known as the magic levels, Amelyn points out), each one becoming the fundament of a greater one, up until the ninth sphere that is described by the author as "near-mythical", where mortals become able to shape reality, if it aligns with their divine patron or they exhibit enough care. It is clear that ninth level casters were much rarer when the author wrote the Records, as Apexes only emerged decades ago in the public awareness, give or take, and have, to an extent, demystified the magic levels. The author does fairly accurately predict the emergence of Apexes and what effect on the world they may have (noting that the discussion of this will need to be delayed to a later date, possibly located further back in the tome), but the first thing the author seeks to explore is if a mage can grow so drastically, especially late in their career, why does that growth... stop? Why is nothing beyond the ninth sphere known and why are there no indications of anything existing beyond it? Is there a natural limit of how much a mortal can achieve? Is it only a matter of time until someone emerges to exceed this limit, just like a steady increase in magical and physical aptitude could be observed among notable individuals in the past? Or are there other limiting factors? Or is there truly nothing, save for the powers? The author thus begins his examination of this perceived threshold.

Having reached this point in the tome, the sun has already dipped beneath the horizon. Emptied plates of food and equally emptied cups are littering the desk amid Katarina's and Amelyn's notes. It appears they are roughly a third through the tome and Katarina can feel her brain being in dire need of some rest. This part of the tome was a lot of ground work, so to speak, as well as what sometimes was on the edge of rambling or random musings. Amelyn, next to her, practically devoured the knowledge, her finger tips still practically glowing from all the writing she put to parchment (ink smears too much, even if these are just temporary notes, so she just writes directly using magic, also allowing her to skip using shorthand).

"Seems like we are getting to the juicy bits, but chances are it's only gonna get more esoteric from here. Whoever wrote this definitely could have benefitted from all the knowledge Apexes brought to the table, but what this author still managed to do with some solid observation, experimentation, and a good head on their shoulders? I'd half expect one of the less benevolent Apexes making them disappear if they'd been alive and tried to do this nowadays, made a slave or silenced or something." Amelyn stretches, still seeming very much fired up about continuing. Classic Amelyn, declaring war on sleep.

There is a knock on the door, Eve entering soon after. "Mi'ladies," Eve greets them. "I am happy to report the gemstones have been sold, quite profitably I may add, and the land has been acquired at a very reasonable price, the creation of a magical forest and mountain near the city as well as further confirming you are here to stay having led to very favorable conditions. After substracting the costs for the land and doing business, we have a record net gain of 1.32 million gold for the estate. I also would like to formally request your permission to make Xethira my full-time assistant, as she certainly helped with achieving this result. We found we work quite well together, in many ways." The half-elven secretary smiles professionally, though coming from her, it also always has an alluring aspect to it.

"How goes the reading?"

[MikelaC1]

That is a lot more than I expected, you did well. Naturally, you have my permission to add any assistant you need, I trust your judgement in such things. Spread the deposits out in a few of the banks and our accounts.
So far, the book is been a lot of dry theory, speculating on the nature of "power" and where it comes from...and why there seems to be nothing beyond what we would call a ninth level spell. Is there really nothing beyond that, or it just something that hasnt been figured out yet. Thats where we are now, and the tome is about to go into examining this.

[Ridai]

"Ah, winding up to a grand theory, I see," Eve comments, almost sounding a little nostalgic.

"Yeah, sounds about right. Honestly, I always wondered how all sorts of magicians ended up with the same stratification of magic and all ending up at more or less similar levels of power. Making notes," Amelyn briefly holds up several of the papers. "maybe we can organize those once you read through the tome, make some drafts, that sort of thing."

"Cetainly," Eve answers. "Meave also appears to have already squirreled away Sunspark Nico for her brand of training, and it most likely is going well, as we have been seeing very little of Meave today. Should I tell Irmin and Carina that you are pulling an all-nighter or that you will be spending tomorrow to study?"

[MikelaC1]

I saw good potential in Nico, but it was being held back by her temper and lack of focus. Much like Maeve herself when she first joined us. I thought she would be able to do something with her.
As for us, even if I were to tell Amelyn to leave this for tomorrow, she would sneak back in here anyway and read it on her own. And I dont think either of us should be alone when we start reading about 10th level spells. That might easily be enough to unhinge even the strongest mind. Please have Irmin send us up something around midnight. And dont worry, once we get through with things, its all yours. While I promised Whitedrake I would share my findings with him, I didnt say when, or that I would give him the actual book.

[Ridai]

"Certainly. Have fun, ladies," Eve says before she leaves.

"Alright, time to get to the good stuff," Amelyn says, rubbing her hands.

-------------------

Now, the author of the Records is getting to this perceived threshold beyond the ninth sphere. All known varieties of casters end with tremendously powerful and dangerous abilities, be is reshaping the world, assuming the form of the creatures who are beyond the capabilities of the common races, causing catastrophies on areas the size of cities, entirely reforming their own and others' minds, creating portals to other planes of existence, and assuming aspects of divinity. The only thing that is left now is magic on a much grander scale. And that magic is akin to the Powers. The Powers cannot simply walk the Prime Material. They cannot simply directly interfere with life, otherwise, logically, they would be the dominant force in all aspects of the world. The author hypothesises that once a being steps into the realm of becoming a Power (such as becoming a deity), they transcend the world as mortals know it, and move beyond this threshold they will never cross again, unless they shed what makes them a Power. The deities are the most known kind, and all of them, no matter if they are minor or major deities, possess a portfolio and domains, aspects of the world they can influence. The author believes that they do not simply affect these, but that they are also tied to these, that the portfolios are like the building blocks of the multiverse, and to become a Power is to draw might from it.

The deities require worship, the source of their might, and what they are worshipped for and who they are determines what aspects of the multiverse they can draw upon and attempt to foster in order to grow their might. So the deities at the same time have tremendous freedoms, yet they are also bound by their own cult and tenets. The Demon Lords and Lords of the Nine Hells, meanwhile, are beings who instead of being empowered by worship, they have fostered so much personal power and aligned themselves so closely to their planes of origin that they can draw upon the power of the plane itself, though they can further augment their power through cults and sacrifice. The Lords are outsiders, made from the Alignments, and anything that furthers the cause of these Alignments strengthens them, which strengthens the planes associated with them, which strengthens the Lords (there is a side hypothesis that the Blood War, in addition to being engineered by angels, is at a stalemate because every time evil grows stronger, both devils and demons grow stronger, then proceeding to devour each other while trying to empower order or chaos).

The author then goes on to hypothesise about other possible ways of crossing the Threshold, apart from divinity or planar regency (though the latter also seems to require actually being a powerful outsider fitting the plane). The author believes that one can't simply become powerful enough just through themselves. There are legendary warriors, but even with all their destructive might, they remain far behind the capabilities of a caster, who can affect much grander aspects of the world. Perhaps the arcane can become part of the Weave, not merely manipulate it. Perhaps those channeling nature's might become literal forces of nature. The psionic connect to this nebulous collective unconsciousness or even understand it, should it truly exist, or gain understanding of a higher existence. The author deems all these very unlikely, but not entirely impossible. But this leaves the divine casters. The absolute vast majority worship deities. Indeed, this is hardly surprising, as ideals play a big part in this. Some worship deities as an extended form of how one may be devoted to a mortal leader, seeking to make the deity's plans come to fruition. Others may worship a deity because they are devoted to certain aspects of the world, and deities simply embody those, at times with multiple deities embodying different approaches to these aspects, such as how the sun can be seen as a benevolent lifegiver and revealer of truths, or a tyrant mercilessly burning away all beneath it, with those who manage to survive praying to be spared for another day.

But the core is belief. If one's devotion is of absolute strength and purity (not in a moral sense, but rather dedication) and aligns oneself to an aspect of the multiverse, such as what makes up what is known as a domain or portfolio, truly embracing, breathing and living it, perhaps they can in turn be invested in by this very domain or portfolio. Such things, the author surmises, would require such close alignment and so much dedication that they can hardly fathom it. One would surely require something that embodies the entirety of what they worship, and make oneself part of it, but how would one do that? How does a sun worshipper ever become this close to what it worships? If one worships one of the Alignments, would that mean that to become part of it, one must be in absolute, total alignment with its tenets in all ways, something no mortal being with all their failings could ever really accomplish? If one worships humanity, how does one become part of it more than already being a human and working towards its prosperity? What embodies War when participating or even starting and directing one clearly is not enough? The author feels that finding whatever it is that will let a worshipper take this final step seems almost unfathomable, surely different for each domain or portfolio, perhaps nebulous in nature... but if a caster like this were to achieve it, they would become a true embodiment of a fundamental force of the multiverse, a thought both awesome and terrifying to behold. Many pages are filled with speculations upon what the nature of what one would need to become one with a domain would be, but no real conclusions are found. It is simply too far removed from the author, and they state so themselves, to grasp.

And the final chapter of the tome is akin to a warning. The Powers as they are known are subjected to certain rules and checks. The author does not know if they apply to any other type of ascension. The author has seen what terrible things a caster of legendary might can already bring, toppling entire kingdoms by themselves or influencing the course of history or being like a natural catastrophe (and it is implied the author may even have experience in that regard). In a way, the author is glad that this Threshold is in place and is as difficult to cross as it is. As a caster ascending, entirely unbound, unnerves him, and they are sure the other Powers would take note, and perhaps even take action against such an ascendant. Much like how a caster of the ninth sphere manages to raise up others to their degree of mastery thanks to their knowledge and realizations, such an ascendant perhaps could throw open the gates to ascension for other casters who are held back by the Threshold. And with how irresponsible many of them are, how little they realize how much they affect the world around them already, to have them wield cosmic power... the author hopes it will never come to pass.

--------------

It is five in the morning and still dark outside, with heavy rain, when Katarina and Amelyn finish the tome and the notes. In the end, there was no clear solution or something like tenth level spells, and the tome was mostly hypotheses, but they were grounded in evidence as well as knowledge the Apex and her student are also aware of.

"So, if what the author writes is correct, there's not just a higher level of spells beyond the ninth, but more like transcending into something more altogether with ludicrous power, which may or may not be held back by this 'Threshold'?" Amelyn says, both excited and a little groggy, the lack of sleep and the intense workout of her brain starting to get to her. "Honestly, I have no idea how to even go about seeing whether this Threshold exists or if this ascendance is possible... but, I mean, finding something that is a pure form of what we worship, embracing it and making us more powerful in the process, that makes sense to me, given we worship Magic and Love. Guess now the question is what those things are and how to go about this ascension." Amelyn yawns, blearily looking at the stacks of paper containing the notes, and the even bigger mess of plates and cups and snack leftovers, leaning her head on one hand.

[MikelaC1]

Katarina has a much different reaction to the tome, unlike her student. While the research and theoretical idea of finding the "Threshold" appeals to her and certainly to Amelyn...the practical application of such a thing is less appealing. The whole point is that Katarina likes what she has become, it took her a lot of work to get there, and the thought of having to become something completely different in order to progress is frankly unappealing to her. As well, the final warning of the tome resonates with her, there are simply too many people whom she would not want to see have that sort of power. Someone dedicated to the cause of evil getting this sort of power would be able to tip the balance of the Blood War which would be a disaster. Although the thought of coming face to face with the pure force of Love and/or Magic, something she has followed all her life, that would be something.

[Ridai]

"Author's just making educated guesses from 200 years ago, could be totally wrong," Amelyn says through a long yawn. "People thought the world was flat at some point and that you could visit the gods if you made it to the edge. There've been highly respected casters in the past who came up with preposterous theories about the mortal body because they knew jack about how it actually works and based all their stuff on their made-up list of magical juices in our meatbag bodies, because that was accepted knowledge back then."

The young woman gets up and stretches, groaning. "Still like this 'why not just add more' approach for Love and Magic, though. Will look into that, you probably should, too. Not like we just suddenly become gods or something." She lets her arms fall to her sides. "I'll go snuggle up to Kit now. I'll probably be back around noon or so and clean up this mess of notes. Night, Kat." And with that, Amelyn teleports away.

[MikelaC1]

Katarina, in turn, heads off to find Sybila to snuggle up with. The tome wasnt as helpful as I thought it would be. The author says there is no such thing as a 10th level spell, and there probably could not be. His theory is that there is a Threshold, passing over which is next to impossible and would make you no longer human. And he even speculates that if one person could do it, it would lead to others doing it, others that should not have this level of power. Along with speculations on how it could be done. I did promise Eve the chance to look through it and will follow through but then it has to go Whitedrake. I dont think its worth much. If its true, I have no intention of giving up being human and what I am, it took too long and was too hard to get there.

[Ridai]

Katarina finds Sybilla in her room, and she manages a smile as Katarina joins her in bed, even as she barely manages to keep her eyes open or follow half of what the Apex says. "That's a bummer, Katarina... but can we talk about this tomorrow? It's the middle of the night..." she says, slurring her words due to still being half asleep.

[MikelaC1]

Katarina contents herself with spooning herself against Sybila, knowing she will talk (and other things) tomorrow with her...and also deal with the burgeoning forest

[Ridai]

Katarina catches up some sleep, awaking around noon. Sybilla seems to have chosen to delay her duties, kissing the Apex awake, looking as dazzling as ever, especially in the sunlight. "You have a bit of apologising to do, having talked my ear off in the middle of the night, you know?" Sybilla smiles, and proceeds to extract said apology in her own way.

---------

A bit more than an hour later, Sybilla lies in Katarina's arms. "So... was the tome a complete bust?"

[MikelaC1]

It was and it wasnt, its hard to explain, but if the theories of it are right, then its a bust. It says there is no such thing as a 10th level spell and it proposes some sort of threshold that divides an Apex and a god, and that crossing it irrevocably changes you into something no longer human. Now Amelyn, she's likely to study that, because that is what Amelyn does, but for me, its not interesting. For one thing, I cant understand why there is nothing between Apex and godhood, it seems like there is a huge gap there. But more importantly, I dont want to change from being human. I worked hard to get where I am, and I dont want to give it up. I like interacting with the world in ways that deities cannot, if I couldnt interact with you, I think I would die, I couldnt imagine that.

[Ridai]

"I would never want to be apart from you," Sybilla says with a deep blush, kissing Katarina. "Perhaps the tome is just wrong or Amelyn will find something. No need to worry about it for now. I believe Remy has finished preparations for the forest, and Carina has been busy getting prepared for the stable and tending to a unicorn pegasus. She's so excited about this, as she has always felt happy when she got to care for animals during the darker parts of her life."

[MikelaC1]

Im excited about it too. I dont know why the idea of a pegasus came to me, and I had no idea that a unicorn pegasus even existed. So lets go see what Remy needs to push this forest forward. I do have one idea for a spell that would work
Katarina gently disengages herself from Sybilla (even though it might be more pleasant to just stay there) and gets ready to go out and see her gardener.

[Ridai]

Sybilla joins Katarina as they head out into the gardens. She notices that the high fence in the direction of the newly acquired grounds has been removed, the new perimeter marked by a tall thicket of huge roots and vines, all the way to the neighboring forest. They find Remy with the twin dryads, Lia and Ila, as well as what looks like a large basket of vines holding peculiar looking seeds. Katarina is no stranger to dryads, shy as they may be. The twin share this trait, but they seem to have chosen to meet Katarina and Sybilla. The fey are exceptional for their kind, uniquely beautiful, but they also possess a certain "glow" Sybilla has always envied them for, most notable when they look to Remy, the gardener sharing this aspect as well. Judging from what few glimpses Katarina got and what she has been told, the dryads are quite demanding on Remy's time and attention, but this in addition to his many duties at the estate seems to hardly ever weigh on him. They are at peace with where they are in life and what they have together. Sybilla smiles to the dryads, and they quietly smile back.

Amelyn also steps into the scene from nowhere, looking well-rested, and in a way particularly fetching, despite clearly being dressed very casually and not having opted for any fancy extras. Katarina can't quite put her finger on what is different, but if she had to guess, Kit is already a very good influence in the apprentice' life. "Morning. Hope I'm not too late, I rarely get to help with creating forests." She smiles, also having a certain glow to her.

"Great timing. We have finished preparing the seeds. Many different trees and plants that will become strong and full of life together, of kinds rarely seen by most people. But before we begin with planting them, you have a big decision to make, namely where that mountain will live. After that has been raised out of the ground, we simply spread the seeds, give them a little running start with magic, and we'll have a forest in no time. Go about raising that mountain and helping the plants grow however you like. Nature doesn't like rigid processes, so do whatever feels right and helps you work your magic. No need to sweat the details or precision, that would only make things look unnatural." Remy has a relaxing quality to him, getting rid of nerves and indecision. There is a wide open area of grassland before Katarina, the estate gardens on one side and the dense forest between the grounds and Kit's farm on the other. Like a canvas before her, Katarina can simply decide where to put the centerpiece, the mountain, and the rest will simply come as inspiration hits them.

[MikelaC1]

Katarina gathers the group around her. This is going to involve a little twisting of magic, but then thats what I am known for...and one day, Amelyn as well. She looks to all the area in front of her, and finally focuses on the dense forest that marks the border between Kits farm and her estate. The farm is already blessed and favored by the fey and placing the mountain in proximity to that seems to make sense.
She begins to cast, Anelyn recognizing what she thinks might be a Limited Wish but quickly realizes it to be the greater cousin to that spell, a full wish. As usual, Katarina is using it to duplicate another spell, in fact the spell being Move Earth, but normally she would only use Limited Wish for it, using a Wish is overpowering the spell. As well, Move Earth doesnt really create mountains, but with the power flowing through it, Katarina is clearly hoping for a greater effect, although she can conceivably settle for a more gentle creation. She sculpts and shapes, but also lets the flow of the earth and spell shape what she is creating. As she closes in on a final product, she gestures to Remy and the dryads to release the vines and seeds into the flow, and as they do so, she flows quickly into the next spell, another Limited Wish to mimic a druid spell designed to accelerate plant growth.
For anyone else, the display is impressive enough, but for Amelyn, who has begun to scratch the surface of what Katarina and an Apex can do, it is both wonderous but also a reminder of just how far she has to go before she can refer to herself as a member of the fraternity of Apex.

[Ridai]

The other members of the estate come out to watch as well. Irmin and Carina taking a brief break from their meal preparations, Eve and Xethira (the succubus now dressed as sharply as the half-elven secretary) watching the display from the air for a better look (Katarina noting them being close together and holding hands). Meave is nowhere to be seen, but the Apex has a feeling she is around somewhere, and her intuitive understanding of Love tells her the maidservant is multitasking.

Remy and the twin dryads help guide the seeds as they are released, and before everyone's eyes rises up a majestic mountain and matching forest, grass and moss and bushes in between as well. It takes only a few minutes for the process to be done, and afterwards, they are looking at something as if it sprang straight from the stuff of fairytales. The trees are grand, looking both healthy yet ancient, the mountain fits among the green and is partially covered by it. Remy and the dryads seem quite happy with the result, the others marvel at what just unfolded and what the result is. Amelyn seems to have soaked everything up, her understanding deepening her appreciation of what Katarina did, also looking at her own fingertips as if to begin to process how one would go about doing what her mentor just did.

"Very nicely done, mistress. From a cursory look, there are no obvious signs of intentional sculpting. Lia, Ila, and I will take a little stroll through the forest to see if any further work is needed and we will apply a few touch-ups, if you will, if necessary." Remy and the dryads smile to Katarina (and as she interacts with the dryads so rarely, the fey's appreciation feels precious) and they head into the forest together. Eve and Xethira touch down lightly.

"We will be taking a little break. Wonderful work, Katarina. You are making my inner magister feel the desire to step up my studies again," Eve says.
"I have never seen anything so marvelous, mistress. I feel truly blessed, I really do," Xethira says, eyes full of wonder. Katarina can feel the good influence Eve has on the succubus, and how joyful the demoness has become, secretary and assistant soon heading into the forest, hand in hand.

Carina has perhaps the biggest reaction, seeming positively giddy, unable to keep herself from hugging Katarina and urging Irmin to explore the forest with her, the cook giving a booming laugh, happy to see his dear assistant like this (and for everyone, it feels like Carina's mood and wonder are infectuous, like the world becomes a little brighter and better because of it). Carina almost drags Irmin by the hand (which is quite the feat by the standards of most people, given Irmin being a towering man as he is, second only to Carina's height), the cook needing little in the way of encouragement, patiently listening to Carina wondering out loud what they may find.

"I really need to show this to Kit once she's done for the day. And damn. I think I can do this already, but not on this scale, and not this quick. Mind if I pick a little corner of the forest to experiment? I'll return things to how they were whenever I'm done with a session, promise." Amelyn, too, heads into the forest, most likely to take a look at Katarina's handiwork and to ponder what she just saw and can learn from it... but also because they now have a fairytale forest in their garden. It can be easy to forget that Amelyn is still only barely of age.

Only Katarina and Sybilla are left (though the mage gets the feeling she saw a little rushing motion out of the corner of the eye, pretty much Meave's way of letting her know she is there), and the former princess rests her head on the Apex' shoulder, arms around one of hers, admiring the scene. "You bring so much wonder into my life every day. I would love to see everything, too." A nice, long walk, just the two of them, in a forest that befits the majesty of Katarina and Sybilla.

[MikelaC1]

I couldnt have thought of a better idea myself. Katarina takes Sybilla by the hand and they walk into the forest. Neither of them are dressed for serious rock climbing and its never been a pastime for Katarina so they stay in the forested part, Katarina letting her senses reach out to feel the magic and love in the air. I can only imagine what its going to look like in the moonlight, but its wonderful even now...if I do say so myself

[Ridai]

As Katarina and Sybilla rest in the heart of the forest, sharing a moment together, they hear a rustling and hasty steps. Amelyn more or less bursts forth from among the trees, looking rather bewildered.

"Katarina, something just- you gotta see-" The apprentice keeps cutting herself off, mind racing, until she realizes that she has kind of stumbled and crashed into a quiet moment between lovers.

"Oh, uh, sorry, I didn't-" Amelyn tries to save herself, but she is already seeing that Sybilla is looking at her a little cross (even if she does so in a less direct way than with Meave), which makes the girl feel appropiately embarassed. Though Katarina is her mentor and Carina perhaps the one who takes care of the girl the most, everyone has been having a hand in raising Amelyn, with Sybilla instilling her not simply with courtly graces (when the girl deigns to use them), but also a certain degree of discipline. No one can make Amelyn feel chastized like Sybilla, though the maid of honor only does so when necessary and always making sure there is a lesson in it (and that it is learned).

Since Amelyn already blundered into the moment, the girl figures she may as well say what she is trying to say before quickly exiting stage left. "Something, something weird happened and I wanted to show you, so, uh, when, when you have time, come find me, please?" She glances towards Sybilla. "Uhm, no pressure, or anything! It's not urgent or dangerous, just-" And Amelyn decides to cut herself off again before she keeps going on and on and earning more piercing glares from Sybilla. The Princess seems okay with Amelyn just turning around and leaving for now, but she sighs in a somewhat defeated fashion as she feels the moment has come and gone.

"I probably should go back to my duties, I've been putting them off long enough for today," Sybilla says, not bringing it over herself to simply shut Amelyn down when the girl is clearly out of sorts and looking for her mentor.

[MikelaC1]

Katarina can keep a straight face as long as Amelyn is there, but the moment the girl is out of sight, she collapses in laughter. There are looks that can turn a person to stone, and even looks that can kill......and then there is the look of Sybilla di Varencia She chuckles again. As for your duties, let them be for today, or let the attendants do them. Today is a day for life, love, and discovering our new enchanted forest. Let us go together and see what has my precocious apprentice all in a tither.

[Ridai]

Sybilla blushes at the comment about her look, her expression almost screaming I-I don't know what you are talking about. Getting the day off, however, is appreciated, the princess sighing and finding back to a smile. "If living with Amelyn isn't preparing me for having children, I don't know what will."

The couple walks into the direction Amelyn left into, just letting themselves be guided by Love, Katarina enjoying Sybilla's closeness, the princess' arms hooked around her own. The forest has its own feel to it now, the first one dedicated to and infused with Love, with vibrant colors and fragrances, the trees and plants having a mystical quality to them, offering so many places to relax together, explore and discover, and enjoy life together. Perhaps some druids would take issue with it, but it feels like this forest is not indifferent to those who wander it, sheltering them, luring them out of their shells, caring for them. Katarina feels like the twin dryads are no small part of this, the roots of their trees reaching far, and part of them infused in this new forest. Though they at times seem distant in person, Lia and Ila have so much love to give, and do so to the people of the estate (and whoever they meet) in their own way.

Eventually, they find Amelyn in a small clearing, the young woman still looking as bewildered as before. They notice that the apprentice has practiced shaping the forest, earth and trees and moss. If Katarina had to guess, it's her creating a beautiful little hidden corner to spend time with Kit. Amelyn's love for the farm lass is so crystal clear and strong, and it influences her magic in a most pleasing way. However, what they also notice is that next to the little pond and bed of moss and the succulent fruit hanging from a tree... lies a ruby gemstone. A positively gigantic one, cut and polished, with a diameter of over two feet. Katarina intuitively tries to gauge how much such a thing would be worth, and the sum is quickly becoming quite staggering.

Amelyn is standing next to it, looking at it, then to Katarina and Sybilla, the latter looking about as baffled (though always maintaining her royal dignity, to her credit). The apprentice, lips pressed into a line, jabs both her hands towards the gemstone, even waggling them as if to further emphasize the gemstone. She then retrieves a small pouch, which is filled with gold and platinum coins, filled to the brim, which Katarina recognizes as Amelyn's "ammunition bag", filled with valuables needed as spell components. The bag, too, gets jangled, as if to underline that it is full.

"Amelyn, dear, I... I do not think I follow," Sybilla says, trying to process, but also to get Amelyn back to a point where she may collect herself enough to explain. Amelyn looks to the bag, to the gemstone, stashes the former and takes a few deep breaths.

"Okay, so, um," the girl begins. "I came here to practice a little, and I think it went pretty well. You know, shaping earth a bit, encouraging the plants to grow." She does a quick, sweeping gesture to the surrounding forest. "So I took a break, and I could feel Love more strongly in the forest, and, uh, I was feeling a little lonely, with everyone else, well, you know," A gesture towards Katarina and Sybilla, the princess "mhm"-ing with a patient nod to help the apprentice along.

"So I was thinking about Kit and how I want to make us matching rings with the gems you brought back, and a bracelet for her arm, since expensive necklaces are too uncomfortable for her when she is working." Amelyn notices she is overexplaining, and hurries herself along. "And I was starting to think about how she's just so very precious to me, and want to make a paradise for her and lay the riches of a kingdom at her feet as a little token, even if I don't think she would... she would really want or need them. A-anyway, I guess I started amusing myself with how I could gift her a colossal gem that would make all those snobby nobles sink into the ground with envy, and it would still be only a little gift... and next thing I knew, that gemstone was there. I think I was casting while I was daydreaming, so it probably didn't just, you know, fall out of the flipping sky, and I'm pretty sure Meave is still busy. So I thought 'hey, maybe you accidentally made a limited wish for a major creation', but I know the dimensions of what can come out of that on my level, and this one is a bit too big. And I can't dispel it." Amelyn's lips are pressed together again, looking at Katarina and Sybilla.

The young woman nudges the giant gemstone with her foot. "That thing is, like, real real. Here to stay. Permanent. Major creation doesn't do that, and this seems a bit above the pay grade of a limited wish." A moment passes, with the wind sweeping through the foliage, also briefly carrying the distant voices of a maidservant and a halfling from on high. "What is, what just, what. What." Katarina, being well-versed in arcane and divine magic, can certainly see what Amelyn is getting at. The only spell, short of an outright wish or miracle or something of that reality-bending potency, that could do this is true creation. Which is an 8th level spell. But Amelyn managed to achieve the 7th level of spells only days ago. And true creation also normally carries a hefty material cost, usually preventing it from being used by mages to just generate money from nothing.

Amelyn is looking to Katarina for any sort of help to explain what happened, as does Sybilla, but for slightly different reasons.

[MikelaC1]

Not that she expects it to work, but Katarina goes through the motions of attempting to dispel the gem, on the off chance thats its just that Amelyn isnt of high enough level. As she does so, she mentally summons Irmin and Carina to this place, needing their strength. When they show up, she asks them...Just see if you can move this thing,or just lift it.
At the same time, she instructs both Amelyn and Sybilla....I want you both to think of something, something simple, Amelyn, something you would like to give to Kit and Sybilla, something you would like to give to me. Make it something innocuous, like a a a small statue or such. Katarina has a few ideas floating around in her head, and these actions could lead her down one path.