11/23 A Hands-On Lab

Maertock would light up a cigar as he leaned back in his seat, the seven foot sharkman flashing his serrated teeth with ambient cheer as his icy blue, shark's eyes fell upon the instructor. Minty smoke ambiently rose from his dry, reddened gills in anticipation.
(Maertock Reave)
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 With the arrival of the students, it was time for a class! Where the preparations were all completed! These being a human body, which rested on the table, several chalk and obviously the presence of the necromancer, Nidaz!

That was sitting in his place.

He would look at everyone present, with a big smile on his face, where soon his voice would come out, "Welcome to the initial Fleshcrafting class! Today we will learn several fundamental things about this art..

So I hope everyone is ready!

Before I start, I would like to ask, something.. What does each one here know about Magic Circuits?" His gaze would fall on the face of each of them. Where his expression was null, but it was remarkable that he expected an answer..

A good one.

Now, he would see how much everyone knew! Before starting the lesson.
(Nidaz)
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[19:42] Val quickly took a seat- Nearly being late, as he usually was for these things.

Magic circuits? That was something he did not have much experience with. Save for a few rather basic things one could get from public information.

"Ehm… All I really knows it that they regulate mana flow, and allow for the use of magic at their 'crowns'..." he'd remark.

Obviously, there was more to know- Given that was the first question that Nidaz had started with. And as such- Val likely sounded like they knew the equivalent of nothing at all, in relevance to the actual lesson that may unfold soon.
(Valamir)
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 Making her way to class slightly a bit after the two she had vague memories of. Well she's only seen the other one like... one time? Then the black haired one who always slept as if it was apart of his very being. Weird.

However she sat down and pulled out her notebook and writing utensil and awaited the entirety of the class to begin taking her notes down. Several fundamentals? She then wrote down the title.

Fleshcrafting Fundamentals.

A question what do we know about mana circuits? Hm.. this seemed important so she would offer her knowledge on such things considering she had spent a few years taking Mana from people...

"Mana Circuits, Once attuned to mana, a person's Magical Circuitry becomes active. It's an intricate pattern of lines and shapes that connect a person's body to their soul, the wiring of their magic."

She felt the need to continue all the while keeping her head down as she wrote notes.

"By closing their eyes, a Magi is able to visualize their circuit and they can see it light up when they try to use their magic, almost like watching muscles react to movements. As a spell's complexity goes, so does the signals sent to the Magic Circuit. Many techniques are recorded with diagrams explaining the specific steps to replicate the effect."

Continuing her explanation she finally raises her head to look over Nidaz's countenance. A smile on her face as she still continued to take notes and maintain eye contact. Thereafter she would then finalize her explanation.

"There are roughly 3100 connective lines in a Human's Magical Circuitry, though the number and layout varies slightly from person to person. That is what I know about Mana Circuitry."

The woman finished her writing and placed her writing implement down. Hands now clasped and waiting for the next task at hand. Thereafter she had a brief thought. She had done some studying prior in her earlier years about most of the basic knowledge towards the world. Thankfully aside from idling about in the confides of forestry and desert sands she was slightly educated to some degree.

How convenient.
(Selene)
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 Maertock would click his rows of serrated teeth together with a thoughtful click of his teeth as he listened with care to the other student's responses. They were rather informative in truth all things considered, the shark was impressed in particular by Selene's rough knowledge of the number of connective lines; such a thing had even eluded Maertock.

He was a shoot from the hip kind of shark. This would without a doubt help in visualization.

Taking a long, thoughtful drag from his cigar as his notes were finished for the present interval.

"Little lady here frankly said all I could say on the medical level but better, so I reckon it's better I say what one can do with a bit of practice and know how. The mana circuitry is the source of animation and life within our physicality at the end of the day. It kneads muscle bundles and joints into action and progress."

The leaned back captain would raise his clawed fingers as threads of shadow would emerge from them in inky, black strands; wavering before the reaver lord of the south coast not unlike that of a marionette.

"And it is through using this circuitry that even post-mortem, we can stir unlife again through the stimulation of that which once granted it. To clasp tightly to their actions and make them subject to our own sovereign will through puppetry of flesh."
(Maertock Reave)
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 If hovered in a mostly relaxed position, 'sitting' mid-air behind the desk. They hadn't really expected to be sitting in on a lesson today. But here they were, with a few others they didn't know, and the captain.

Without a word they pulled a few sheets of parchment from their bag, allowing them to hover off to their side. It seemed like a decent idea to take notes.

Inky black magic was already scrawling a few words across the pages as the other students answered. They didn't want to say what they thought first. In truth no one had given them an in-depth lesson specifically about what those do. Or what they are, even. All the magic they knew was done by instinct alone.

So they wrote down what they heard from the others, and offered their own response with a slight shrug. "All I know is what Maertock told me, and what eh.. She.. said."

They cast a sideways glance toward the cat, an impressive featin a helm that restricted their field of vision. "So. Magic veins. Basically."
(If Reave)
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 Well, apparently Selena has been studying, where Maertock added even more to what she said! So an explanation on the part of Nidaz was not necessary, which made things a little easier.

"Perfect! As my dear friend Maertock said, the circuits are connected to nerves, muscles and other parts of the body! So, if we are in control of the circuits and we will have control over the body.

And for today's class, I want you all to interact with the body circuits of this being here." He would speak, with the same calm tone he always had, while pointing towards the body on the table.

Of a dead Moxtli soldier..

Well, that was something that Maertock already knew about and how to do, so it wasn’t something he would need to do now, all that Nidaz wanted the other students to do it, "Sele, Val and Other person that I don’t know yet.

Heh.

Step forward, I want the three of you to interact with the circuits of this body! Make your mana flow to it.." Rubbing one hand over the other, the necromancer would give them room to work.

Well since they already knew what was the magic circuits, what was missing was practice! Where this class was just for them to try to get in touch with the circuits.

Basic stuff.
(Nidaz)
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 An eyebrow rose on the boy's face. Already going to that? After just learning more about the circuits? This was definitely a speedy track of a learning if he ever saw one. Although this was the only would-be 'track' he's ever been in.

The boy got up from his seat, and moved over toward the location of the body. This was definitely going to be interesting. Never before had he even attempted something like this. Though... He did experience an event similar to this himself, back when Nidaz experimented with his soul.

Leaning closer to the cadaver, the boy placed two fingers on the former-Moxtli's chest, grazing about until he could find a proper spot to begin the attempt.

Raw mana was focused into the fingertips, and then into the body itself in low quantities, if just to get a 'feel' for the circuits. It was weird, to say the least. It was like spreading one's own influence out of their body amidst the duration of the connection. As if they were essentially making the dead flesh an extension of themselves- Like a catalyst such as a Staff.

This process of attempting fine manipulation of his mana was oddly more exhausting than purposing it for a spell- And so, he would soon retract his fingers to take a break, and give out a soft sigh.

"That is... Freaky..." he'd mutter with a slight shiver. Was this really how fleshcrafters did their work?
(Valamir)
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 Closing her notebook after taking the necessary notes. Nidaz had directed them to another task and this time it was practice upon the body she had brought him prior perhaps? Interesting... What was her name?

Marga… Right.

Thereafter the woman adorned her gloves and smiled before getting to work. Giving the body of the cadaver a once over. A satisfied nod was given in it's direction before Selene raised both her hands. Each gloved digit now became shrouded in a veil of Mana. They would aid her in connecting the approriate points throughout the body.

Fingers would come into contact with the head first. Working her fingers along the forehead thereafter the throat and working her fingers down towards the chest area. The other hand now shifted over towards the body's arms. Due to her movements and her rushed preparations. She had missed a few if not most of the vital areas to connect. This would possibly result in direct failure or... something else. Hopefully just failure.

Digits still all the while swimming around though once satisfied she felt the need to pull away and the shroud of Mana that enveloped her finger tips now dissipated into Ether. More or less all that occured was a spasm of an arm and leg but nothing remarkable.

Failure.

"... Mmnh."

Not what she was hoping to happen but.... it was something? Failure regardless. She then turned to Nidaz awaiting further instruction.


(Selene)
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Maertock would watch with enchantment as he stopped leaning back in his chair, his jagged finned elbows propped up on the table for comfort as he watched with predatory eyes at the display of the three younger necrophytes dabbling at the stimulation of the body's nerves and muscles with the corpse of a Moxtli soldier.

Fleshcrafting. Necroratsy. These two words were the same art of unlife and artificery of sinew. The captain had learned from his own experiments with a drowned corpse the difference between amateur reanimation; meaningless puppetry and true necromancy.

To mold the flesh as clay was key. To add more sinew packed bundles and reactive nerves. countless tentacles and tendrils to aid in work. The ideas the Captain had to improve his own creations had no limit. It all, of course, hinged on the success of the Kraken hunt.

And on his own studies. He was still but a student of necromancy for all his recent experience; his efforts at their bestwere shallow manifestations of the true art.

Perhaps a lesson like this; a hands on approach with the professor, was exactly what he needed.

"This is why I smoke. The mint hides the miasma quite well."
(Maertock Reave)
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 If floated directly over the wooden desk. It seemed the easiest way of getting to what was asked of them.

They set their feet on the ground, and looked to the other two. Who went first? The quartermaster stood still and watched the process the other two took first. They usually just put their magic directly into damaging or controlling magic, so seeing how they managed it would help. Probably.

Maybe their practice in the latter of those would help a bit here.. Once the other two were done with their part, they crouched down. One hand reached forward, gloved fingers hovering close to the skin of the corpse.

For a few moments, nothing seemed to happen. They hardly even had a magical air about them. Then the temperature started to drop just slightly in the atmosphere around them.

From their fingertips wavering lines of black drifted toward the skin, and seeped underneath like ink into parchment. Visibly connected, tracing through a portion of the deadenedcircuitry beneath.

They managed to move one hand, curling the fingers slightly. Yet when they withdrew there hand there was some visible damage left behind. Small amounts of blackened flesh that didn't quite return to its original state. Oops?
(If Reave)
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 Many would consider Nidaz's method used too haste, but given the fact that they already knew about how magic circuits worked, there was nothing better than practicing..

That's how he learned.. That was how they would learn.

Although when Nidaz made his first tests, it was with a living being. But well, what they had at their disposal was just corpses, so it would be what they would use.

The first to try was Val, who seemed to have been the most successful among them, almost easily making his mana flow into his body.. Perhaps the experiments he had undergone at the hands of Nidaz helped him to understand how things worked.. Good.

Right after him, it was Selena's attempt, which apparently was not as successful as Val.. Barely managing to make her mana flow to the dead body.. Mm. She needed to train more, maybe starting with animal bodies would help her? Probably.

And finally, If tried too.. And just like Selene, he failed, where apparently he had no control doing so and ended up even damaging the body.. Ugh. More practice and control would probably be needed.

Snapping his fingers, he would look at each of them and then point in the direction of the chairs, so that they would return to their seats, "Well then! Apparently two of you needed a little more practice.. But will do great after a bit of it!

While this.. Val, my dear, you showed great skill doing it! I think our experiment sessions helped you with it, Heh." He would comment briefly, getting up from his chair and moving towards the body, "But a mistake that you all made and that I noticied, was being too hurried.. Something that made you all become tired too fast.. And also fail.

In the study of Fleshcrafting, when we make our mana flow into a creature's body, we need to be calm and make it flow in small amounts, but steadily ones! Concentration is the key and must be maintained.. Otherwise..

Well, the body EXPLODES!"A brief explanation, maybe that would help with the next attempts? Who knows.

Regardless, the necromancer's gaze would fall over the pirate captain, where waving at him, he would soon continue, "My good Maertock, could you show them how to do it?

This will also serve for me to see how is your progresses going, since our last class!"
(Nidaz)
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 Maertock would drift to the front of the room like a shadow on the wall, stretching languidly as he puffed away upon his cigar while glancing over the cadaver with a soft hum. It was amusing in truth to think how much he'd learned since his first lesson long, long ago. It felt like a world of difference; Murtock had still been alive at his first meeting with trick.

Death had come into his life in all different sorts of ways. By his will and against it, he'd begun to incarnate it.

"Of course Professor. What is important is the process of things. Like a calm, stream's flow, we must inch our mana through the natural cycle of life within the cadaver."

A black tendril of sifting, inky mana would extend from the cloak of darkness that ever adorned Maertock, steadily trickling into the mouth of the test subject as he hummed thoughtfully with cheer.

"It is through the stomach that we reach the spine. The spine is a direct pathway to the heart and the brain. The nexus of stimulated thought and the home of the soul and animation respectfully."

Slowly like a gentle current in a flowing river, the mana would progress through the corpse. The black hue was visible through the pallid flesh as it first filled the cadaver's stomach with a reserve of black mana. Then, it would drift progressively up the spinal cord with quiet progress.

It appeared unlike his usual, solid, and generally destructive tendrils of shadow, these were a more refined toolset with more etheric, sifting qualities. More fit for necromancy with certainty, and likely refined from the captain's failures in the practices at hand.

The black mana slowly rose, stirring at the heart with a sudden spiral of pulsation and the mana was imbibed by the still, rigor mortied muscle fibers and gently stimulated a pumping motion.

As his shadows passively drifted throughout the network of the corpse's leylines and mana circuitry, it would finally rise to the brain with a quiet, but direct progression. Slowly as if waking a bear, flesh was compelled to stimulate impulse in deadened synapses.

The corpse would twitch.
(Maertock Reave)
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 Making her way back towards her seat the then brushed off her suit. Readying herself to take notes once Meartock had given a demonstration.

As the body was manipulated by Meartock's usage of his Magical Control. Selene consistently took notes in tandem with each movement and reaction that came after. Watching as they went throughout the corpse making sure to align and make the approriate links.

Such a display of manipulation over the body as they literally exploited it thoroughly. Every second spent coursing Mana throughout it's circuitry would further bring the body back until...

A Twitch.

All of this was recorded by the Felinae. Fascinating, Truly Fascinating. Thereafter she awaited to see what Nidaz would do thereafter.
(Selene)
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 Val gives a light nod- Remaining neutral in expression for the moment. Even though he was, internally, esthetic about any amount of praise for a decent first attempt. Even if he did make the same mistake as the other two.

Then again. The mention of the experiments done on him neutralized positive reinforcement for the most part. Was Nidaz trying to take credit for this?

Nonetheless, as Maertock was called to give a better demonstration, he went back to his seat, to give them space to work. After all, last time he was near Maertock with their attempts- He got a splash of gory rat entrails in his hair, and across his face. So a human body? No-thank-you to getting that mess on him.

At the very least, observation would lead to some better understanding, right?

Right.

The boy immediately took out a notebook, and flipped to an empty page. Scribbling down notes of using the stomach to reach the spine, and thereby the rest of the assumed vitalareas!

He paused, if just to watch the corpse twitch- And then went right back to it. Documenting every visible interaction and reaction to the going-ons of the outside of the body. Whatever that inky magic was doing within it? Remained, majorly, a mystery to him for now.
(Valamir)
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 If probably could've done better if they were slower about it. Or if they knew more than theory. But thus far they hadn't truly practiced puppetting things by their mana circuitry, at all. Instead they were used to flinging them about with telekinetic force.

Their magic wasn't quite tuned to this sort of work. Yet. But they took note of the feeling. They tilted their head slightly, focusing on how the body had reacted to their power.

After a few moments of staring at the damage they'd dealt, the quartermaster lifted into the air. They 'hopped' the table when directed back to their seat, and settled cross-legged in the air just behind the desk.

The parchments that had been floating around them fluttered and shuffled a bit as they took a few more notes. Inky words appeared midair only to stain the papers. It was a fairly decent way to keep track of things..

Yet when Maertock stepped forward they leaned a little closer. Their notes tucked themselves away at the quartermaster's side, neatly stacked in mid-air.

They noted the difference in his shadows near immediately. It was something they knew quite well. And something they could more easily track than the other two's attempts at controlling the body. If understood those shadows more than they'd ever understand.. Anything else, really.

For a while they ceased the note-taking to instead simply pay close attention. Everything he did was taken in, processed.

If glanced down to the parchment once the body had started to twitch. Stomach, spine, brain, heart. Circuitry. They started to write out a few more things, muttering to themself under the helm.
(If Reave)
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 Stopping to think, he should have explained the question of how mana flowed before they practiced.. Alas, it was too late now! They would understand and that was what mattered.

He certainly went straight to the point in that one class, but that was more because he saw that most of those present already had a great deal of knowledge about magic circuits.. So the things that Nidaz had prepared to say were not necessary.

But the practices? These were absolutely necessary!

Regardless, now was the time to see how much Maertock had progressed since the last class.. Would he be able to bring that corpse to unlife? Or not..

He was truly talented and had also learned a lot from Trik, Nidaz was almost sure of his success.. Yeah, he would be able to do it! Maybe..

He watched carefully as the captain's dark mana flowed into the body, starting to fill the stomach that was the mana 'deposit' at first, followed by the spine and then the heart.. From the heart, mana would be pumped towards all the circuits around the body, thus filling everything up, slowly..

During the whole process, Nidaz watched it carefully, it seemed like that his eyes followed the flow of mana through the circuits.. And it truly did.

And to conclude the mana would flow to the brain, the 'control wing' of the whole body and the last place that was missing.. And with that part of the circuits filled, the body would tremble.

The corpse twitched.

It had started. So far everything was working out, but.. Would Maertock blow up the body this time? Like he did with the rat's body.. Or would he succeed and create an undead?

Now Nidaz needed to watch closely and see how that would happen. And apparently the others were also watching closely! So all good.

As soon as Maertock finished the process, Nidaz would probably need to explain in more detail how it all worked, to help them even more on how to understand it.

But first, he needed to show it! This is why Maertock was there.
(Nidaz)
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 Maertock would progressively stir his shadows through each and every muscle fiber now as the twitching began, actively loosening fibers that had been wrought with deathly stiffness as he allowed his flowing, shadowy mana to be his eyes and senses within the corpse. His knowledge as a doctor, master swordsman, and master chef alike was of use here, his specialty in butchering biology and unbutchering it was second to few.

Slowly, as the mana began to concentrate in the heart and brain, the flow of his dark mana through the circuitry would delicately begin to accelerate, progressively moving through the motions of false life as the circuitry was used almost as a cyclical river's flow within his mind.

Ever rushing forth towards the sea.

The heart would beat. Glassy, thoughtless eyes would flicker open. Shoulder blades would begin to stir as arms roufhly attempted movement. Creaks of rigored flesh and corpse fluid would become apparent.

But slowly, steadily, the carcass would rise to a sitting position. Black mana still tracing steadily with accelerated, but controlled motion through the circuitry and organ network as unlife was stimulated within the being of the test subject.

Maertock would blink. This one hadn't exploded....

"No mess this time, professor."
(Maertock Reave)
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 Selene was completely speechless the body after his mana had coaxed it into motion. Now in the state Un-Life, Meartock had succeeded in doing that which they all had failed to do. As history has shown, patience is the key to success. He maneuvered his Mana within the corpse in full.

Weaving and connecting all the approriate locations that required such in full. Selene made sure to take notes of his movements in detail to the very visual amount of Mana he let enter the corpse as well as the places that needed further manipulation.

Spine, Heart, Limbs and the Brain. All of which now had Meartocks Mana flowing through it. Allowing it to do that which it could not prior.

Become once more in this plane within the process of Un-Life.

Amazing.
(Selene)
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A breath of relief came from Val. No mess was good by him. It meant no gore being accidentally splashed onto his person by the shark-man again.

Again, he turned his head down to scribble down more into his notebook- Noting the vague outlines provided by the black mana. It provided a wonderful identifier for the would-be circulation of the magic inside of the cadaver.

Impressive as the feat was. It wasn't as awe-inspiring as other creations he had seen. Such as Nidaz's own Mistakes.
(Valamir)
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Hiding behind his desk, Nidaz was already waiting for an explosion from the body.. But then, to his surprise, this did not happen.. For some reason.

Everything was working properly.. As it should.

The flesh creature would move, eyes, legs and other parts of the body., Everything functional as it should be. A perfect meat puppet, the first of Maertock's creations!

He would look in the direction of Maertock in surprise, opening a smile on his face, "Congratulations my dear Maertock, you did it! You didn't explode the body, fascinating!

And truly created an undead. I think you can now consider yourself a Fleshcrafter, just test it a few more times before that.. Create more puppets. Also, keep your concentration for a while, otherwise your undead will fall to the ground!

But for now, sit down! I need to say a few things.."

Walking to the side, he would take chalk from the table and then go to the blackboard. There he would draw a human body and then make several lines around it, "I will now explain to you all how this whole process works! I know I was a little rushed before, but that was only because I wanted to see if you managed to make your mana flow into your body without any major difficulties.

To test your skills, I would say!"

It was something he used to do, he first tests people before he actually teaches them correctly.. He didn’t think very well about the details of how things worked, he acted a lot on the impulse of what he thought was correct, at least in most situations.

A little flaw about him.

Stopping his drawing, he would turn around and then continue the explanation, "In the Art of Fleshcrafting we study the Magic Circuits, which, as stated before, are directly linked to various functions of our bodies and act in various situations.. Too many situations.

But here we learn only how to control them, because if we have control over them, we will have control over the body and thus bring a person back to life.. Kind of.

Because in reality we are just controlling their bodies! There is no soul, there is no mind.. Just our mana and a meat puppet."

His words echo through the room and then the halls of the large laboratory. And in every thing said, seriousness was noted and subsequently, honesty. He was explaining everything correctly.

Shaking his hand in the air, soon he would continue again, "To create an undead like Maertock did, we need to make our mana flow into the magical circuits of the body! Filling each one in its entirety, but in a calm way.. With steadly and small amounts of mana.

In addition to this, there are parts of the body that assist in the process! Such as the heart, stomach, spine and brain! Every single one of these, are totally connected to the magic circuits..

So if you start making your mana flow into any of them before anything else, but mainly the stomach, it makes the resurrection process much easier!" When he finished talking, he would take a deep breath, taking a few staps back.. He got a little dizzy, "Any questions?"
(Nidaz)
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 They looked up after another few moments of muttering over their notes. Well, not quite 'up.' Across the table, and toward the corpse Maertock was progressively pouring more of that inky shadow magic into.

Notes continued to seemingly write themselves upon the parchment that floated near them. But their gaze was fixed on the body again. On the movement that stirred seemingly of its own accord- Prompted by those puppeteer's threads.

Amazing, to see it move with seeming ease. The Captain really was rather good at this.

Their attention shifted when Nidaz finally spoke up. They listened well, though a few things he said Maertock had explained in a general sense before. The alchemist had taken notes then, though they'd been a bit too tired to fully focus on his lesson.

A good thing to get it all reiterated, and amend some of their notes where they had mistakenly written something incorrect. There was that last thingagain. Something that stuck to their mind more than all the other information they absorbed.

The quartermaster focused on that, their sole question. "We ain't control th'souls with this sorta stuff.. Do ya ever do that?"
(If Reave)
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 Oh geez. That was going to be a lot to write down. But nonetheless, Val was determined, and had his book and pen ready- Rapidly jotting down the notes into... Likely jumbled, run-on explanations of nonsense only Val himself would understand later. Oh well. Method to the madness.

Magic circuits proved to be far more important things than Val had previously assumed. He knew they were an important part of the body.

But being connected to every single physical fiber of them? That he did not realize. And as such- The forced animation of the dead flesh made much more sense now. It wasn't truly reviving it- It was simply controlling it through proverbial 'strings' attached to every little nook and cranny the body had.

The stomach, heart, spine, and brain. So those were the best spots to begin with. Another session of absent-minded note-taking ensued.

Then the subject of questions came up. It was very well-explained, and connected quite a fewdots between the gaps Val had in his own knowledge of the art. His only questions really pertained to the adjacent art that Nidaz himself was aiming for. So they could wait until another time.

For now? He'd just wait until others asked their questions. And then, of course, learn what he could from the answers given to them.

Likely a poor choice- But one that was made nonetheless.
(Valamir)
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 After Meartock's praise from Nidaz the next segment of the Class was underway.

Mana Weaving.

As Nidaz spoke a gloved hand once more began jotting down notes entirely. All the while reiterating his words as she wrote. Mumbling along.

"In the Art of Fleshcrafting we study the Magic Circuits, which, as stated before, are directly linked to various functions of our bodies and act in various situations. Too many situations. But here we learn only how to control them, because if we have control over them, we will have control over the body and thus bring a person back to life. Kind of. Because in reality we are just controlling their bodies! There is no soul, there is no mind.. Just our mana and a meat puppet."

Pausing to make a new start on a seperate page she continued her notes.

"To create an Undead, we need to make our mana flow into the magical circuits of the body! Filling each one in its entirety, but in a calm way.. With steadily and small amounts of mana. In addition to this, there are parts of the body that assist in the process. Such as the heart, stomach, spine and brain! Every single one of these, are totally connected to the magic circuits. So if you start making your mana flow into any of them before anything else, but mainly the stomach, it makes the resurrection process much easier."

Thereafter she'd finalize her notes before asking her question.

"I'd like to ask if there is a possibility to use some sort of boon to aid in such an art?"
(Selene)
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He almost forgot one more thing he needed to explain, "In addition to all this, it is necessary to keep the bodies used in perfect condition, at least until they are revived!

For example, if the tendons in one of the legs are damaged, obviously that the meat puppet will not be able to walk! Thus, it's a failed creation.

Therefore, it is necessary to 'repair' the bodies in order to revive them! Mainly important parts such as heart, brain.. And others. That can be replaced with animal parts or even human ones." He would pause, looking at their faces, "But after being revived, the undead will go throughout a process of decomposition, becoming.. A skeleton, just like those! That work with our mana." He would then point in the direction of one of his undeads.. who were walking around the room.

And now the questions came to him, where the first and the one that caught Nidaz's attention was If's question, "Unfortunately Fleshcrafting only deals with bodies, the manipulation of meat.. Flesh.

But in the other hand, the study of Necromancy deals with souls.. Teaching how to manipulate them, since we cannot direct influence them.. Danger.

Also, this is something that I have been practicing over the past years! But it’s really complicated to work with, I can assure you this."

And really, dealing with souls was complicated.. And one of the people who could confirm that was in that room, which was Val.

And finally just one question from Selene, "Not exactly, but a Fleshcrafter can create tools to assist them in the process! But otherwise, it all depends on the Fleshcrafter.. Sadly."
(Nidaz)
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 Given how some of the non-skeletal undead Nidaz had looked like disturbing, patchworked hobbling abominations to the eye... The fact that replacement of certain parts could be necessary wasn't hard to guess.

And as for the matter of souls? Existence felt like nothing but ultra-torture compared to the prospect of a seemingly sweet release within death.

Good times.

A few more notes were put into his notebook before he closed it, sighing simply because he was reminded of the exact happenings to him in those prior years.

At least he was on the other end of the stick now. Right? Doing the experimentation, rather than being the test subject for whatever machinations their captor intended.
(Valamir)
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This was a new thought to Selene. Keeping the body in perfect condition she already knew however. Hence why she preserved the one prior before giving it to Nidaz.

Making sure to keep her notes steady and things separated. She was however sad at the mention that it did differ upon the Fleshcrafter. Maybe she could go on an expedition to aid her in this process. Something akin to aiding with Mana Manipulation and... Circuitry Control perhaps.

Ah, so once a body is brought back it would become a Skeleton in full to be used as means to aid the Fleshcrafter. Interesting. She made sure to note this for future reference.

(Selene)
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Maertock would take a thoughtful drag from his cigar as his shadows coursed throughout the cadaver not unlike a marionette's strings. His practice with anatomy as a doctor helped, but holding his own impromptu lecture had really prepared him for his demonstration today.

At last, after manipulating the flesh to his whim, the reaver lord of the south coast appeared satisfied with the manipulation of his meat puppet. He thought back to what his apprentice had told him; of how true necromancy went beyond just making a corpse walk to your steps.

The mastery of the soul? Was that not, in the end, the mastery of death?

The pirate knew only how to take. And this knowledge too he would seize for his aims.

"By that logic, one can modify a body with additional sinews, veins, muscles, limbs. It really comes down to what can be neatly fit into the pathways of mana to most effectively operate the endeavor of the meat puppet. At the end of the day, it is still but a puppet."

Maertock would nod firmly at that.

"But fleshcrafting is a stepping stone to further aims. To achieve mastery of what inspires thought once you have managed to achieve that which ushers animation."

The reaver would return to his seat at that with a steady click, humming to himself with ambient cheer as he nodded.

"So with the right tools. Say, a chiron gem? A man could resurrect something as large as a kraken....perhaps even intelligently?"

The captain would tap the star shard in his breastpocket with cheer.

"Asking for a friend who is also myself, having one of these things and hunting the other."
(Maertock Reave)
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 {Item} You drop Chiron x1.
 {Item} You picked up Chiron. Dropped by Maertock Reave..
 Great, they would take note of what had been said, so they could study about them later, which was good! Great students.

But now came the questions of Maertock, who asked a few, "Yes! As long as everything is connected to the circuits, it is possible to create several modified beings!

Just look at my dear Mistakes and you will see an example of this." He would comment, looking at his side.

Standing in the corner of the room was a huge creature made of flesh and magitech, an undead abomination. Such that had extra limbs, such as faces on his chest and even small arms around its own arms!

A monster.. Some would consider. But for Nidaz, that was his son.. His great creation!

And now the question of reviving a bigger creature with a Chiron? Nidaz wasn't sure how to respond to it, but he had a hunch, "Well.. Maybe. Chiron is a source of concentrated power, by what I know, so it would also serve to energize the circuits with mana.

So I think it would be possible to use it to revive the creature! However..

If used, the creature may not be under your control, so ways to contain it would be necessary! Since in itself the power that would flow through the body of the being would not be your mana Maertock."
(Nidaz)
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 Selene took another look over at Mistakes thinking about the process of connecting everything to the circuits. Though... she didn't let her gaze linger to long more so just listening to Nidaz and Meartock converse for now.
(Selene)
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 Val briefly gazes toward Mistakes. Squinting at them. Son of Nidaz though they may technically be. Doesn't change the fact that he had personal, somewhat trivial, qualms with them.

Ah well.

The notebook came back out, and more notes were taken. Again. This time about how external power sources lessens the control over the revived creature.

Just as well- That apparently, one can do more than just add magitech to the undead they create.
(Valamir)
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] Maertock would scribble down further analysis in his notes steadily as he nodded firmly, each little bit of information furthering his own aims bit by bit. This was exactly the reaffirmation he needed in truth; he'd already discussed the particular manner of control with Amelia.

"Yes, I figured it'd be nigh impossible to control if the brain was its own. But I still have my late brother's soul trapped in a mirror, and Amelia Aertas has offered to aid me in creating a more powerful, larger variant of a synthetic's brain to house his soul and connect to the vast networks of machine and sinewy flesh of the living kraken fortress I have in mind."

The Captain would nod firmly at that, taking another drag from his cigar with his serrated teeth as he flashed a playful wink to Selene upon seeing her gaze flick to Nidaz' son.

"It's nice to know I'm not the ugliest sonova bitch in the room for once. Though I'm sure in some circles your son is very handsome professor."

A dark chuckle emanated from the reaver lord at that.

"This has all been very informative however. We must master fleshcrafting to pursue true necromancy then? There's nothing I haven't been able to achieve when I set my eyes on the prize."
(Maertock Reave)
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 So he was working on a way to bring his brother back to life, with Amelia's help? Interesting. She had a great mind.. So this could probably work out!

With a side smile and opening his arms, his voice would soon come out, "If you wish, I can try to help you with this project of yours, I am a few steps away from completing my soul study project..

Therefore, I will soon be able to consider myself a real Necromancer." He paused, giving Maertock a thumbs up, as he praised his 'son'.

Shaking his hand from a side to another in the air, he would nod, "Indeed. Fleshcrafting is just the beginning, Necromancy is the advanced part!

One step to the other..

And I think you will soon be able to start mastering that too, my dear Maertock!" When he finished speaking, he would rise from his seat, begin to take a few steps forward, "With this, today's class is over! Any questions, feel free to ask.

Now please, come with me to the entrance." Gesturing with his hand in their direction, to signal for them to follow, he would then start walking towards the exit, in slow steps!
(Nidaz)
Maertock Reave says, "Back to the reef then...well..."

Maertock Reave says, "Yes, for now. It was a pleasure meeting White haired cat with many big words."
 Selene asks, "Hm..?"
 Maertock Reave exclaims, "Now, off to....alcoholic endeavors and black magic!"
 Maertock Reave says, "Yes, I don't know your name."
Selene says, "Farewell muscular shark man."
 Maertock Reave says, "Accurate. "
 Maertock would offer a roguish flash of his rows of serrated teeth to Selene as his icy blue shark's eyes fell upon his fellow student of necromancy. Offering a tip of his accursed pirate's hat, he'd nod lightly as he crossed his right, sinewed arm before his arcanium cuirass with a bow.

"Selene, a beautiful name, fitting of its bearer. I am Captain Reave, Maertock Reave, lord reaver of the south coast and chief executive of the Deep Company. A pleasure to formally make your acquaintance."

The captain would bow his head as he moved to depart.

"Until next time my dear, I look forward to seeing what you've achieved."
(Maertock Reave)
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Silver eyes tinted Sienna hues fell upon Meartock. A fellow student. One whom was more adept and had aided in the lesson today in abundance. In word and visual demonstration. That much Selene admired. Arms crossed underneath her chest as she saw the gesture. A smile graced pink lips.

"Thank you, Meartock. I don't think I deserve the gesture of bowing. However I appreciate it. Pleasure to meet your acquaintance as well. May we study the art together I suppose."

Offering a wave with a gloves hand as he moved to depart.

"Till next time."
(Selene)
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Maertock Reave says, "Indeed. Til next time."

As Maertock left Achyon that day, there was a sense of certainty in his bones that he'd gotten comfortable with reanimation. He'd blown up a rat, a crab, and one very unlucky walrus, sure. These things happened. But the girl that had committed suicide on the beach outside the Reef? She only exploded underwater when none of the students could see! That one had been a great sleight of hand. But this advanced lesson with Nidaz gave him the guided experience he needed to finally, gently stimulate unlife in a form.

It felt good to be bad. One step closer to the abyss Maertock. To getting Murtock home.