Jun 12 07:28:17 106 PA Bookworms of the World, Collate!
From Chronicles
un 12 07:28:17 106 PA
Kingsdale - Kingsdale City Museum (Library)
Sunday morning starts off early at the Library, Zachary settled at a table with several reference books on magical incantations opened before him. His notebook is close to hand, the young elf scrawling out careful notes from time to time as he studies each entry in turn. The two books opened to notations on restorative magic, the scope and scale of current spells and other such general minutia.
Even Leonard is up with the dawn, or more nearly so than he would otherwise be. He enters the library and moves for the tables en route to the shelves beyond. Zachary's presence invokes a minor detour and a pleasant greeting. "Good morning, Zachary. What is the topic of the morning, if you don't mind me asking?"
Zachary looks up as Leonard arrives and he offers a light smile. "Good morning, Leonard." And the question is answered quickly. "Restorative spells. A vague idea given to me a time ago has germinated. I am considering a proper healing device. It would be yet another tool of use to nearly anyone, I would say. Though it seems I shall have to shelve the idea until I can generate the funding for a proper spell. Which, I hope, will be soon once I finish the prototypes for my latest creations and present them to Caliopa as a means to broaden her business."
"Yes, I can certainly understand the utility to everyone." Leonard nods his agreement with a soft chuckle, as he could make use of such a thing as much, if not moreso, than most. He claims a chair at the table and seats himself, a brow arching at the elf's latter words. "Prototypes? Would these be the light sources, or are you working on several projects at once? I know that Cali has some concerns about her shop." Probably another question with that, but it is given as a statement.
"One is the device that you requisitioned. I am actually making two. One for you, one that will be kept for resale," Zach offers, shifting to face Leo as he shares his words, relaxing a bit. "And I think I once mentioned to you the Firestarter I was making. A simple utility invention. Each one requiring little power to do a simple, focused task." He smiles lightly. "Sadly, great works are not done by one who is yet beginning within his field. But given time and resources I believe some great things can be done. I have already found some intriguing spells that I might one day attempt to purchase and use to make devices both useful and protective. So many of my peers focus on weapons and destruction. So very few focus on creation and protection."
Leonard rolls his shoulders. "Well, for the business-minded, there is ever a constant need for weapons, but your focus is just as valid, if not moreso. Perhaps you could offer the firestarter and the fire suppression as a set?" A grin forms at the thought. "For protection of those who might start a fire /too/ well? I've come to do a bit of spell research, as well, but I find myself somewhat overwhelmed by where to focus my attention next."
"I honestly have yet to consider the what I might charge for these items," Zachary admits. "One must make such a choice carefully to strike a proper balance. Though I do plan to offer you yours for a lesser price as the originator of the idea. A small thanks to you for what could be quite lucrative." She inclines his head towards Leo before adding, "As to your issue, it is a matter of looking at what you have and deciding on what you lack the most. If you were to consider that, what would be the answer you come up with?"
"Recognizing the lack is easier than deciding on the largest portion of it." Leonard smirks in some self-deprecating bemusement before considering. "Utility and defense would be foremost, I suppose, as neither is strong in my repertoire." A nod is then given concerning the mention of devices and prices. "I do appreciate your generous gratitude, even if the notion itself can be the simplest part of the process."
"The idea is perhaps the most important part," Zachary offers. "As to defense.." He pauses, considering. "I know a spell that is useful in that way. A simple armoring spell. It does not provide incredible protection, but it grows with your own skills. So perhaps it might suffice. I would be willing to trade with you if there was something you could offer in return. My own repertoire is well rounded, but not very broad."
"Therein might lie the issue," Leonard admits, "as mine isn't especially rounded nor broad. The most generally useful that comes to mind is telekinetic manipulation, and it is nothing that can't be done by hand. Unless you have need to travel quickly on this world or to others, or influence the denizens within the same, my expertise might be too focused for your use. The many realms and the spaces between them is my speciality, so to speak."
Zachary shakes his head slightly. "I don't have much interest in dimensional spells," he agrees. "Though if you have any spells pertaining to directed energy, I would find them useful. Though I have little use for weapons, there is some call for them and it would be foolish to not expand my offensive resources. As well, such spells can be most useful as catalysts and in supporting matrices for other spells."
Another smirk curls Leonard's lips, although, as before, it isn't harsh. "Few seem to have such interests, and they are not of everyday concern to most. I can direct a touch of lightning here or form an energy barrier there, if either is of use to you." He pauses to scroll through his mental inventory of other possibilities. "I've also begun to explore the very nature of magical effects, themselves. It might not be of much use in a device, but the unweaving of barriers and other impediments may be useful to you, personally, with as many means that exist to entrap or entangle."
Zachary considers that. "If you are speaking of a spell that can craft a field of energy in the forming of barriers, that one I have. In fact, it is key to the Anti-Fire Field that I am making. Weaving the immunity into a reduced essence of that spell. It won't protect one from lethal forces, save for fire. But it will do so in a radius that can protect several." A pause as he catches himself from elaborating, a briefly sheepish smile coming to him. "But the creation of directed lightning.. that could have use. So too the breaking of barriers, though less so I would think. I have yet to run across a need for it myself."
"I've not found an immediate need, either," Leonard's smirk shifts to grin, "but after encapsulating a threat or two in a barrier, myself... well, the thoretical need became apparent, at least." A nod follows. "The manipulation of energy is apparently more in your domain, as is the combination thereof. If you have interest, I'm more than willing to accept your offer of exchange. As you noted, purchase of knowledge can be harsh on the credstick."
Zachary nods his head slightly. "I think that would be a proper exchange. Knowledge of the armoring spell in exchange for one to channel lightning," he responds. "And perhaps we might exchange further." He pauses, mind working at the potential applications of such a spell. "Perhaps I might reduce the output of the spell to give a stunning charge rather than lethal one." His expression thoughtful on that.
Leonard cants his head slightly at the musing. "Something similar to a neural mace's effects?" That thought brings one of his hands up to rub at a temple. "Non-lethal, but definitely not pleasant, by any means..." He stays the phantom self-consolation to retrieve a pocket comp from his clothing and sets it upon the table. A glance to Zach's own notebook draws forth fresh mirth in a chuckle. "Somehow, I would have expected our respositories to be reversed in form."
"Well, that is one principal to go by, though I would prefer a ranged application as allowing an aggressor to come within range of you is rarely desirable," Zachary replies thoughtfully. "And while I am not one who likes to cause discomfort, at times a sting can be part of the deterrent. I would not wish lasting hard to be done, of course. But a sting and disorientation would seem proper." He pauses then and wonders. "What do you mean by this talk of reversal?"
"I was convinced to move my scribblings onto something more ...organized." Leonard taps the device and then gestures to the elf's notebook with a grin. "Then again, my penmanship is not the most legible, especially to others. I've misread my own hasty jot a time or two, even."
"There is a purity to writing," Zachary responds, glancing at his notebook. It has neat, orderly rows of characters, the ornate shape of Dragonese obvious. "I am not against technology, obviously. But when it comes to my personal writings I enjoy keeping journals and notebooks that are tangible rather than compiling them into a mechanical recorder." His eyes lift. "It is one of those things that is not so easy to explain, I suppose."
