Zouverin Of Tower Of High Magic And Arcanery In Tantos Essay, Research Paper

Prologue

“Ah, you can see me. It is good to know that these fingers can still weave a spell or two.

“Three years ago I retired from my position as Zouverin of the Tower of High Magic and Arcanery in Tantos. My successor, young as she is, has done well in my place until now.

“Last eve, the tower was burglarized. The tome of ancient magic and power was stolen from the Zouverin’s personal library, while the tower as a whole slept. As competent a mage the Zouverin is, she is not a good investigator, and I feel that the thief is one of her apprentices. She helped me screen the apprentices before my retirement, so I fear she may not have the objective eye that you do.

“I ask you to make use of this magical connection between your world of technology and ours of magic to investigate this crime and find its culprit.

“I will keep myself available to you to offer what guidance I can. You may ask me about all the residents of the tower, how our magic works, and some general background on the tower itself. You may find me clicking the purple crystal. The crystals about the edge of your mirror, or screen I guess you call it, will take you to the various stages of the program.

“The aqua crystal will take you to an interview with a person in the tower. If you wish to hear someone’s answer again, simply click on their picture again. The interview will replay itself.

“To look around the rooms of the tower, and see what is to be found within, click on the green crystal.

“You may dispatch a servant to take a measurement for you by making use of the red crystal.

“Good Luck. I await your verdict.”

Magic:

How does magic work?

Magic functions by drawing energy out of a well cut gem and focusing it as what you refer to as ‘mechanical energy’. It may be channeled many different ways, but in each case the basic intent is the same. You draw energy out of the gem, and transfer it to your intended target.

For example, let us say I draw one hundred Joules of energy from this gem. I can then transfer it to this rock as say potential energy, and lift the rock then two meters. Oh, this rock has a mass of five kilograms.

In contrast, I could grant this rock Kinetic Energy, and shoot it off at about six and a third meters per second.

What kinds of energy are possible?

All forms of energy can be converted this way. Potential, Kinetic, work against friction, general work, what have you. It can also be used to cancel energy. For example, say I leap from a tower and fall reaching some speed, acquiring three thousand joules of kinetic energy. If I have that same amount of energy available to me I can stop my fall by canceling out that much energy. This is quite preferable to striking the cobblestones at such a speed.

What else can be done with magic?

As a wizard grows in power they can focus their energy more and more. A skilled mage, for example can channel kinetic energy directly to a body’s cells to accelerate healing, or kill off infection. They can be used to speed up the fabric of air, and cause it to seemingly ignite into balls of flame.

How do you rate gems?

A gem is rated by circle. A 5th circle gem has five thousand joules of energy, while a 30th circle has thirty thousand joules.

Persons

Zouverin

The Zouverin was my star pupil before my retirement. She was fully on the road to unlocking secrets that remained mysteries even to me. Even though she is young, she has the power to alter the shape of this world some day. Still, I sense much girlish giddiness in her still. I only hope that it serves her more as an aid then a hindrance.

Kalli, the guard

Ah, good and loyal Kalli. I had considered hiring her to serve as my private and personal guard in retirement. She has served the tower well for some time now, and until this incident, without flaw. This is why I am convinced that an apprentice is our culprit. Were it a simple burglar, Kalli surely would have caught them. As it stands, Kalli commands a compliment of five guards, all of whom are paid by House Lyon.

Brianna

She has served in the tower for five years now, first as my maid, now as the Zouverin’s. She is a good lass, and quite polite, tending to her chores dutifully and swiftly.

Jezel

I know little of this one, only what is said behind closed doors as she passes. She has been with the tower for but nine months, and is the only apprentice I did not chose myself. Her family is one of gypsies, bandits all of them. I would wager they sent to the tower not to learn magic but to steal our china and silver settings. Even as that were, she does show some skill and promise, and perhaps in time even I will be proven wrong about her, an occurrence I feel unlikely to pass.

Draca

Draca had a disturbing childhood. I feel it has scarred the potential of one that was destined for power for little more than controlled madness. Her studies have focused always on death, and the reanimation of the dead. She is one year elder then the Zouverin, but has trained in the tower several years less. That is why she was not named Zouverin in my place. That and she is quite dark and melancholy.

Charles of Lyon

The fine and noble house of Lyon has produced leaders and diplomats for six generations. Charles’ older brother will go far to continue this tradition, while Charles himself will begin, we hope, a tradition of academic pursuit. Were it not for his family’s generous contributions to our tower, I fear he might not have been accepted as an apprentice, and in this role he often refuses to comply with some of our basic tenants, such as the restrictions on crystal use within the rooms of the tower. But being such a quick study, I choose not cast him out prior to my retirement.

The Tower

How long has the Tower been used?

The Tower of Magic and Arcanary has served as a source of knowledge and learning for over three hundred years. Due to the rigors of the art is has trained only fifty some spell casters, but those who study there rarely leave anything but masters of the art.

Who built the Tower?

The tower was first built by a group of mages using magical laborers to harvest the rocks for the foundation and walls. I fear their identities are shrouded in the mystery that makes the tower.

Who pays for it now?

The King and his Exchequer see to most of the daily expenses. Noble houses also make generous donations to the tower, House Lyon being one of the more charitable.

How many apprentices can study in the tower?

There are cells for five apprentices, and the Zouverin’s chamber is large enough for two lords or ladies of the tower to reside. However, I have always felt that small tower was one in which learning could better take place, so I served as lone Lord, until the current Zouverin rose to her position. We agree that there are enough living within the tower for now.

The Tome

What is in the Tome of Power?

The tome holds the secret to the highest of magic. The ability to create matter out of pure energy. It is costly to do so, but invaluable. Image being able to create gold coins from thin air, or to conjure flights of arrows into being with a command. Such magic is dangerous in the wrong hands.

Why would anyone steal this?

For many motives: Power, prestige of having stolen from the tower, to embarrass the tower, to make a note for oneself as a thief, or many other reasons. To another tower, that book is worth sacks of gold coins. I would wager that the thief could sell it and allow a family to live comfortably for generations.

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