amulet creation

Time was a precious commodity.

Even for immortal beings, and it could not be wasted doing nothing while their enemies grow. As such, he made his way to Adrian, another riftmancer in Asphodel that could help him with this.

Probably the only one too.

"Adrian."

"Unless you had something else to do, I'd like to begin forging that amulet."

Which would no doubt offer Ambrose exactly what he seeks for.

"Are you ready?"
(Ambrose Roche)

It was time.

After finishing up his own business, it isn't long until Adrian returns to Asphodel. As Ambrose approaches, Adrian turns to face the fellow Riftmancer.

"Ah, no. I should be free to assist now." With everything urgent out of the way, they should be able to craft the amulet without much issue.

"Lead the way."
(Adrian Ivanovich)

The time to forge something great.

A wonder of unspoken power, yet one that could hold the potential unlike any other- for when they arrive inside the forge that belonged to Master Roche, already Adrian could witness the shadows lingering and slowly departing elsewhere.

That of the Collective.
But where?

They head to fetch the powerful crystal- one that belonged to the crazed Riftmancer, the Lich himself, and so awfully destabilized that it may as well be too dangerous to use. But..

That's why Adrian was called, isn't it?

"Adrian."

"I doubt that I'd be able to stabilize the crystal alone, but while I prepare the amulet.." More and more metals are brought.

In particular, orchilacum and arcanium would have the most of their use here.

"Could you begin stabilizing the crystal?"

"I would need you to use runework to see to it that the warping distortions are no longer present." He could see it himself.

Which are already naturally warping the area around them.

"Once you've done that, we'll begin making it fitting for the amulet."

But already the forges were running hot; with the metals carefully placed in, he ensured that the appropriate template for the amulet was drawn as well. Yet, there would be many, many modifications made..

This is just the beginning.
(Ambrose Roche)

It was time to work.

Adrian follows Ambrose into the depths of his forge. He knew full well of the reason he was summoned here today. Just as Ambrose had helped him forge a relic of his own, it was now time to return the favor.

The shadows of the Collective are spotted swirling around the forge, each one slowly moving to a single chest. Once the precious gem inside is removed from the protective shielding, even Adrian could feel the disruptions of the very space around them.

An oddity that immediately caused Adrian's attention to shift towards the Collective and the precious green gem they carried.

"Mmm. I see what you mean." Adrian mutters, before he leans in and begins to examine the crystal. As close as it is, he can almost feel space around him beginning to distort. And while he was used to such sensations through his use of Riftmancy, this was something on a whole different level.

"Hmmm. Yes, I think I can do it." Bold words, but if there was anyone within Asphodel who could manage such a feat, it was the two of them. "But we won't have much time to get it placed in the amulet. This thing holds a lot of power. Almost too much..."

But a challenge was welcomed.

Reaching over to the nearby workbench, Adrian grabs a set of runescribing tools and gets to work. Slowly but surely an array of runes would be carved along the surface of the gem. The smooth surface replaced with runes focused on stabilizing the energies it produced, and harnessing the reality distorting properties.

But such an act was easier said than done.

Even now, Adrian had to multitask, and it was something that was visibly taking a strain on him. On one side, he had to focus on making precise engravings on the crystal to ensure the runes took hold. And on another, he had to contain the distortions the crystal produced merely by existing. A tall order, to be sure.

But would Ambrose be able to work quick enough...?
(Adrian Ivanovich)

It is a daunting, difficult task.

The moment that the metals melt down enough to ensure that they become workable, the template of the amulet that he's planned for himself is quickly filled with such; the liquid metal is cooled until it becomes solid, yet..

It was still hot enough to remain malleable.

There begins the most difficult part of the work- to stretch the shadowy hands to where Adrian works and begin multitasking as well, his own skill over riftmancy contributing to stabilizing process while he forges the amulet itself.

"Keep it stabilized as best as you can."

"The runework must remain fitting so that it could be introduced to the amulet itself."

Little by little, the corrections with a small hammer begin; they're intended to ensure that not only it would remain a delicate, precise work, but it is one that could display his proficiency in artificing as a whole.

So far, he's made many wonders.. and this?
This would be yet another one.

"We would need to make a rather.."

"Interesting approach to this." He paused. "If we simply try to fit it inside the created amulet, then it will fall apart. So, hm.."

There comes an experimental part of forging- where the metal is cooled even further for the stability, he moves over still heated amulet towards the crystal.

The crystal itself was sturdy, containing so much energy that it was nigh impossible to shatter, but there..

The shadowy hands stretch once more - intending to begin linking the runework to the amulet.

"Begin aligning the two together."
(Ambrose Roche)

It is undeniably draining.

But he persists.

It takes time, but time is the one thing they have in spades.

The crystal is held carefully in his left hand, while the tool carefully continues to make etchings with his right hand. Faint purple energies seem to swirl around the gem, as Adrian's own riftmancy is called upon to keep the gem stable. It rends the lifestream surrounding it, preventing it from reaching out and distorting it on its own.

Causing beads of sweat to pour down his brow.

But thankfully he would not have to wait long, as Ambrose masterfully begins to finish the forging on the amulet base itself. Unsurprising of a master artisan, after all.

"Alright... I think I've managed to stabilize it..." Or rather, he managed to do as much as he could. There would still be moments of distortions until the runes fully settle. But much like his amulet, he was confident in the work he had done.

As per Ambrose's instructions, Adrian carefully brings over the crystal and holds it over the amulet setting. His gaze shifts towards Ambrose which is then followed by a nod.

"Very well."

And with that, Adrian begins the process of assisting Ambrose on slowly linking the runes on the gemstone and the amulet. All that was left was for Ambrose to do his part, as Adrian focuses on keeping the gemstone from exploding.
(Adrian Ivanovich)

Little by little,
piece by piece.

A testament to his mastery was to work on the amulet at the same time while the crystal would begin its alignment to the amulet, adjusting the size and shape alike- the collection of shadowy hands all begin to tinker on it, the small hammers operating at an alarming, and perhaps even eerie, efficiency and precision alike.

It was mindboggling how it could be accomplished.

But the Collective was a great assistant with this- its eyes and hands reaching further than its Master, or perhaps even Adrian, for it had much more of these than both of them combined. Truly, a useful servant in many regards, even then..

It was draining to do this.

"Mm.."

"Maintain this stability. And-"

Here, Adrian could already see the rift runesmithing of Ambrose join in- not only intending to stabilize the crystal in a way that would make it a fitting addition to the amulet, but also link it together.

An extended work that would ensure that it all doesn't fall apart, and yet..

Where the crystal is linked to the amulet, he could clearly see the several smaller hammers working in tandem to secure it accurately in a single place, adjusting the shape against the ever cooling down metal.

Until it's placed neatly inside.

"Now-"

"To enhance its strength. You can extend the leylines of the runes across the amulet, spread it out."

"I'll take care of the rest."
(Ambrose Roche)

There was an almost alien like beauty in how graceful the shadows work.

Adrian had always been curious about the Collective. A collection of former spirits, if one could call it that, all bent to follow the will of Ambrose. A part of him wondered if the spirits within were still sentient, or if they were merely shadowy mockeries of what they used to be.

A good question for later.

As the crystal is slowly linked to the amulet setting, Adrian watches in silence while keeping the crystal stabilized. He knew that keeping it stable was more important now than ever, as the delicate process of linking the two together could cause disastrous problems if a single mistake was made.

But thankfully, the worst case scenario was avoided.

For now.

Once the crystal is finally placed within the setting, a small sigh of relief escapes Adrian's lips. And yet, the work was still not done. Taking the tools in hand, Adrian looks towards Ambrose and nods.

"Right."

And with that, Adrian begins carving a similar set of runes along the amulet itself. Many of them seemed to connect to the ones engraved upon the crystal, causing the faint green glow of energy to filter from the gem and travel alongside the runes as they were carved. It was a slow process, but one that would cause the amulet to fully stabilize and make full use of the crystal's power.

All that was left was for Ambrose to finish the final touches.
(Adrian Ivanovich)

A process in which he could find himself not only pre-occupied entirely by ensuring that the riftmancy runes spread out appropriately across the amulet, and imbue it with their strength, as well as stabilize the crystal for the use..

But one to make sure he could bolster himself even further.

The touch of the Collective was vast, and with the stolen energies of many magi, there is something sinister that is imbued inside the amulet- ethereal, Occultic in nature, no doubt the empowering process that could enhance Ambrose even further as a magi.

For it was never about Riftmancy alone,
it was about his growth as the Master.

"It would be a great wonder.."

"One to guide me into many battles and journeys alike."

One to ensure not only his survival, but success overall. Can Adrian hear it yet? The gathering voices of the Collective, all threatening to collapse with the dark matter upon the amulet that was being created before them?

Little by little, the essence seeps in; stabilizing the crystal, and enhancing its Occultic nature. There, he could see it at last..

The final touch of runework that would attune it to Ambrose.

So that there would be only one true master of this - only one man that could utilize the amulet to its full potential. The embrace of shadows deepens, until..

It settles inside the amulet, lingering with the whispers of the Collective.

"--It is done."

"Now, to let it settle."

A waiting process, more than anything.

Yet important all the same.
(Ambrose Roche)