Leonard Whats A Griffin Eh...(Straylor)

LostWalker · December 13, 2007, 09:03 PM

The female guard gave a small smile. "I have been a Skyrider for almost two eras now and we are still not the best. It takes love, caring, oneness, trust, and many other things just to get to where I stand. Now if you would please, enjoy your time with her."

She retreated to speak with another Skyrider who had just returned from a quick run around the training field. From the sounds of it, it seemed she was telling him what he did wrong and what he did right on the fly. Still she was keeping an ever watchful eye on her Griffin. She meant everything to her and no unknown soldier was going to do anything on her watch.

Straylor Leonard · December 17, 2007, 02:13 PM

Being alone with the mighty beast was something Stray could not prepare for. Sure, he's seen his Mistress transform into one, but that was entirely different. There was something almost unmistakable about a real gryffin. Its enormous wings could have completely enveloped Straylor, and then some. Then, there was its great talons and beak that was rumored to be able to rip apart hard leather, even steel.

He approached the creature, hoping that he wouldn't loose an appendage this brightening. And then, it struk him. The idea of casting a spell in order to approach a highly intelligent creature never occurred to him. But that was what Befriend Animal was used for. Slowly, he reached into the folds of his poet shirt and took hold of his Wand. Looking towards the gryffin's trainer, he made sure that she did not feel alarmed before proceeding.

Taking in a deep breath, Straylor held a low note before attempting to make out a soft melody he called Gryffin's Talons. The song was meant to sooth the beast, but also allow Straylor to enter the trance-like state of Clara. He's trained long enough in meditating and hoped that the aid of his Wand would count most in this situation. He was quite nervous and required all the hlep he could muster.

Should Straylor arrive at Clarity, he slowly began to weave a spell otherwise known as Forest Calm. Straylor hoped to produce two 'small' versions of the spell using divination -- one for himself, and the other for the gryffin. It had no mind-controlling effects, of course, only a soothing, calming effect that most animals (and Straylor) actually found relaxing and quite pleasant. His aim was to remove any hostility or discomfort between himself and the creature.

LostWalker · December 19, 2007, 02:30 PM

Watching the female guard was amused at the tactic the man had decided to use on approaching the animal. She was not all surprised to see that the spell was working. But she knew that it would not always work and it wouldn't last long. Griffins were a most wonderful creature and they are not easily fooled. For now though she did not see any reason to ruin the the bonding moment between him and her Griffin.

As more and more time went by things seemed to be going in the direction the man had hopped they would. He got to enjoy almost a whole candlemark of time with her before she suddenly stepped back and snapped at him. Luckily she missed him but she did try to do it once again. Seeing this the female guard quickly called out a command and the Griffin stopped in her tracks. The guard led Maria back into her pin and then returned to the man. "Are you ok? It looked like you got some good time in with her. What have you learned?" The guard questioned as she looked him over to make sure he wasn't harmed in any way.

Straylor Leonard · December 21, 2007, 02:58 AM

As the candlemark passed, Straylor had little idea that he was spending a great amount of time with the creature. Until, of course, the gryffin snapped at him. "Whoa", he said as he quickly backed off from the winged beast. Thankfully, her trainer was closeby and managed to restrain the beast with a single command.

"Thank you, that was wonderful", he said while smiling sincerely, "I must admit that I never expected them to be more eagle-like than lions. I always thought that they were more cat-like. But they are definately more aerial beings than I previous understood." He nodded to himself mostly before continuing, "I also noticed that they are deeply intelligent. The calming effects of my spell works best with sentient creatures who can grasp the concept of peace and trust. Gryffins definately have a deeper sense of oneness, especially yours. I must commend your friendship with her."

LostWalker · December 28, 2007, 07:31 PM

"I thank you"The female gurad replied as he came out of the holding pin. "I have been told to escort you off the premises and make sure you don't get 'lost' along the way. I turst you understand this? If you have nothing else you would like to do while you are here then if you will follow me to the front of the compound." The gurad stepped passed the young man and started to make her back. This time she took a different route from coming in. Nevertheless they still made it to the front at which point the young man was given more instructions. "I leave you here." She said "Talk to him over there and he will tell you about training if you so choice to come back and train." She gave a slight salute and turned and walked down yet anohter hidden hallway.

When he reached the male gurad the guard gave a small salute and started speaking quickly. "I have been given instructions to instruct you on the proceedure which you will be undergo if and when you return." The male gurad said. "You must know that you will have to stay in the quaters provied the whole time you are training and since you are a special case who wishes to buy a Griffin rather than join us you will be given a Griffin in which if you can nurse it back to health and create a bound with it you will then be allowed to show what you have done to the captian and he will decided if you will be able to buy the Griffin. If you when you choice to return will also have to attened the requried Griffin care classes and flying classes when the Griffin is well enough to fly. The training will be as long as you make it. Meaning, if you are good with animales and you can get your Griffin back to health quckly then your training will go quickly, but know this, no one is given forever in the Skyrider Academy, some make and some do not." The male gurad finished his given task and stepped aside to let the young man leave if he didn't have any questions.

Straylor Leonard · January 8, 2008, 01:15 PM

Straylor thanked the woman and when he reached the next guard, he listened attentively to what he had to say.

His options were limited, but the terms seemed fair. This was a military academy first before it was a merchant's stall -- no matter how much Stray would've found the latter much more convenient for his tastes. Second, he really did not commit enough time for a full fledged Skyrider training at the moment. All this he explained to the man but offered his thanks nevertheless.

"Actually", he told him before saluting, "would it be possible to visit the fields again on the morrow? I would like to watch the riders and their mounts. It should do me well to understand how gryffins are a while longer."

Straylor Leonard · January 31, 2008, 07:34 PM

OoC: self-moderation approved by AGM LostWalker. Will secure approval from GM Soldier.

The walk back to the Skyrider academy was equally as uneventful as the previous brightening save for the fact that getting checked-in and asked to remove all weapons was no longer necessary. "Didn't bring any", Straylor smiled before awaiting his escort. It was the same female rider who accompanied Stray before. When asked what his intentions were this time around, Stray simply asked to be around the magestic creatures a while longer while he practiced his druidism.

"No attack spells or anything that could hinder the riders and their mounts", the woman said firmly, "we don't want to have to arrest and fine you for endangering our academy."

"Of course", Stray nodded reassuringly, "just some spells to help me understand more, if you will."

With that, Stray was led into the familiar compound with an open roof where gryffins both mounted and unmounted were arriving and flying off at great speeds. Stray could only watch in awe as the winged creatures glided, spun, and maneuvered in the skies. It was a sight to behold and envy at the same time.

Finding a reasonable position on the ground, Straylor began to meditate and allow his mind to transcend above the Plane of the Material using his Wand as an aide to propel the process. Once he gathered enough Ara to mix with his Vis, Stray produced the Mana necessary to gather the Nature Essence he needed to make the spell Detect. With the spell he hoped to keep a close watch on the surrounding gryffins and observe their movements and behaviors that way.

Straylor Leonard · February 11, 2008, 03:05 AM

Locating the gryffins and their respective riders using Detect allowed Straylor to witness more of their dynamic riding techniques. It was hard to watch the maneuvers in the sky with the wind and suns producing some unlikely hindrance. But watching the glowing spiritual 'auras' radiate from the gryffins and their riders was a little easier. This newfound senses also helped Straylor understand the bonding that took place between rider and mount. It was something uncommon on Telath since most warriors tend to see their mounts as animals rather than partners. In truth, the connection between gryffin and rider was so strong that Stray could almost sense the powerful forge between the two spiritual auras. The rode, flew, and would fight as one.

Within a half candlemark or so, with some of the drills done and his spell's duration expiring Straylor stood up from his position and approached a few of the skyriders with a kind smile. After introducing himself and informing them of anything they may ask, he offered to cast Heal on their mounts to restore any fatique or strained muscles from the work-out. If any of them agreed he'd gladly proceed to enter Clara once again using his Wand to accelerate the process to at least halftime. It was a wonderful thing how a single device could make his spellcasting so much less tedius.

After producing the necessary Mana, he'd channel some Nature Essence from his native Plane and attempt to abjure it into the respective parts of the gryffin rider indicated. Whether it be the gryffin's legs, wings, or even torso, Straylor's spell should have the same effect: encourage the natural regenerative process of the body. It worked better on animals, supposedly, due to his sphere's attunement to Nature.

If the gyffin required a stronger healing spell, Straylor would cast Augmented Healing instead -- which was a two-step spell making it apprentice-level. Instead of simply abjuring the Nature essence into the wound, alteration would also be used so that the spell could affect a larger area compared to its basic version.