2/4/2019 Conversation with Hatsu about Summoning/SpiritRealm

[17:03] Aspen returned empty handed. No wood, but she was riddled with dirt, sweat, sticky with tree sap along her hands, arms, and clothing, and bits of tree bark stuck to her attire.

For now, the girl was enjoying a meal of Cassidy's delicious pancakes and glimpsing at notes about spirits that she collected.

The girl sighed, closing the book and staring at the fireplace after she'd finished scanning through her book, and replacing it the satchel she had.

"Why does this feel so difficult," she mumbled to herself.
(Aspen Yano)
[17:07] It took only a small amount of time for Hatsu to emerge from one of the unused tents, stretching his arms out as the sun momentarily blinds him. He had spent the majority of the night studying, and opted to even wash up before the moon had even gone down entirely! Alas, he was not a morning person, and this was very much apparent as he stumbles over a bucket. Face-planting into the ground, he lays along the grass for some time, before managing to heft himself up and trudge his way toward the fire-place.

..where no fire was being tended. Inhaling deeply, he fetches some wood, in order to stoke the flames once more as he slams himself down into a chair, only to peer over at Aspen with a raised eyebrow. More than likely, he caught the tail-end of her frustrated words, and pivots the chair in order to sit within it incorrectly.

"What exactly, is so difficult? Perhaps you need a bit of assistance, water girl." He wryly comments.

Yes, he has not forgotten how she had soaked him previously.
(Hatsu Wvelven)
[17:15] Nearby had been Hatsu, whom Aspen idly watched fetch wood to refuel the fire, followed by a snicker from her.

"Spirit summoning. I keep dreaming about this large door that I open. Behind it is a blinding light. When it shuts itself, I see a spirit of some kind nearby. I don't understand if that's how summoning a spirit even works, and I've thought about the method before when fighting someone.. but it works."

Aspen sits up from a leaned position.

"Only.. I'm able to summon something small, like birds. I haven't practiced too much with summoning spirits. I guess that's.. the door to the spirit realm?" Her eyes trail towards the fire.

"It's weird I guess."
(Aspen Yano)
[17:19] "Spirit summoning, huh? Well, I don't have much experience in that department, but I have been to the spirit realm. I'd suggest going there before you attempt to do anything else, in terms of research. It was so long ago, but I was but a young adventurer, inexperienced in the world. The man who took me in under his wing had taken me there as a form of punishment, though I was the only one who left unscathed, ironically. Regardless, we fought a Nethradin that was locked away there, and came out with some goods. Helheim, I believe it was?"

He thinks back briefly, stoking the flames with a few twigs as it sparks to life. A small smile forms, likely looking back at the fond memories of leaving that hellish place, and managing to recover properly with the group he had done so with.

"It's a dangerous journey, but you should have some people to accompany you there. We utilized a camp that held a portal within the fire-pit itself, but it wasn't an easy time. I got lucky, I believe."
(Hatsu Wvelven)
[17:27] Nethradin. The mention of the evil spirits caught Aspen's full attentiveness. Her mahogany eyes stared at Hatus with some excitement.

"I've heard Helheim was dangerous. That's where the Nethradin reside. What was the Nethradin you fought like? Appearance? Magic? Uh.. aura? That's what I've been wanting to learn about.

"It's a big reason I'm planning a trip to the North with Vel after the Invidia Dinner. To see Malentine to learn more.. if he's.. willing to say anything about it."

Again she sighs. Aspen's excitement fades.

"Most people I've met have had a chance to go there. How am I supposed to get there if I don't know where to go or know what I'm looking for? Would that door that I dream of be a start do you think, Hatsu?"
(Aspen Yano)
[17:32] An off-handed wave is offered in regards to her inquiry about the spirit realm. He was by no means an expert on the matter, but he could only offer his semblance of guidance. His experiences were shared in a brief recollection, but her inquiries made this a bit harder to do so. "Ahh...I believe it used earth magic, actually. It was demonic in nature, not unlike a Kaor Demon, but far more fearsome in strength and power. It had massive wings to boot, and was a rather horrific opponent to take head-on. We acquired its essence and the like, which I've collected myself in order to forge a proper weapon. Naturally, this has been a pretty difficult task to accomplish, when there aren't a lot of blacksmiths on hand."

A small pause ensues, digesting the other information Aspen had offered up without his asking. "There's a Dinner? Priscilla never mentioned that, so perhaps it does not pertain to me. I haven't seen Lord Malentine in some time, however. Which actually makes me a bit nervous, really. He's snuck around in different guises, before."

He looks around suspiciously, eyeballing random individuals out of paranoia. "I suppose he would be the one to approach in regards to that, considering how he brought forth droves of Nethradin into the mountains."
(Hatsu Wvelven)
[17:42] When it came to Nethradin, demonic was certainly one of the first adjectives used to describe the spirits of hell from nearly everyone that Aspen had spoken with on the subject. The girl remembered Lugonqi's shadowflame wings, and her eyes widened. Imagining a powerful, demonic presence that could be much stronger compared to the Archon? It shook her.

"Mm.. Vel mentioned one to me, but I assume that's just for the direct family and not.. anyone else because of their association. Maybe I'm wrong.. ya." Nodding to confirm that was likely the case.

"He summoned them through a rift portal with a spire shard. I've heard the shards hold bits of divine magic. It's incredible." Her eyes flick towards the fireplace.

"How did you capture the essence of the Nethradin?"
(Aspen Yano)
[17:48] "We acquired the essence by harvesting the body of the Nethradin relatively quickly. They tend to fade away after being defeated, in some cases. I'm unsure if that was just a special case, but we worked quickly to ensure that we would acquire souvenirs to bring back home. Even so, you should NOT try to tackle one of them on your own, it would not end well. I can not stress enough that you ought to have a dedicated party with you, who knew what they were getting into." He chastises, only to glance over at Caelia as he took note of her approach.

Sitting back in his chair a bit, a glance is given back toward Aspen with mild curiosity. "Why the interest in them? Do they have to do with your desire to learn spirit summoning, perhaps?" He inquires, appearing bemused.
(Hatsu Wvelven)
[17:53] "Yes. It was a consideration between Wardens and Nethradin, but I've learned enough to know that.. where I'm currently sitting? Summoning a warden wouldn't be.. ideal. I've leaned on learning about Nethradin.

"And I have no plans to go alone if I'm going to step into Helheim and fight one. My bucket list doesn't including dying.. yet." Aspen giggles.

"I think what Malentine accomplished with them is astonishing. I'm a weak girl, and my magic isn't the best, but it's something I'm aiming to pursue."
(Aspen Yano)
[17:56] Aspen Yano says, "My plans with it aren't all hashed out just yet. I still need some more motivation to get going on what I want to learn with it. In time it'll be clear. For now.. it's just basic summoning that I have troubles with."
[17:58] It was difficult to ignore the massive congregation of Invidia's warping to what he presumes to be Malentine's home. Despite this, his eyes focus upon Aspen as his leg neatly folds over the other, seating himself back as he lightly scratches his cheek in thought. "The basics of summoning is not difficult to understand. You'd require materials to form a bonding circle, and then delve into the spirit realm in order to make a proper pact with a being of your preference. Naturally, this manner of entering the spirit realm is VERY different from how we had done so. Your journey is completely spiritual in that sense. The means in which we wound up there was quite literally tearing through the veil."

He tries his best to explain without getting too far into details, but it was up to Aspen to digest this all. "I'd suggest practicing your magic, and bolstering up your abilities, accompanied with studying. Dawn has quite the array of books, after all." He states, gesturing for Caelia to come sit with them.
(Hatsu Wvelven)
[18:02] Caelia hasn't even realized so many people were gone all of a sudden. She wondered where exactly they went to, but not for a very long time. Instead, she accepts Hatsu's offer by claiming one of the free seats as her own.

"Hey! Where is everyone?"
(Caelia Vellus)
[18:05] "The Invidia family are at their dinner," she states, looking in Caelia's direction. A smile was offered to the girl, and her attention was directed back to Hatsu.

"I believe I know just how I can get more into the ability with what you said about the bonding circle."

Easily that answer pertained to mediation. There had been plenty Aspen learned in her time spent within Huangzhou. Mediation, the use of crystals to empower her abilities, and plenty of more methods.

"I'll have to visit Dawn for some materials soon enough then and find a to practice that's quiet."
(Aspen Yano)
[18:11] A shifting of his positioning is given as Aspen offers her own suggestion, listening intently. It appears she had devised a means of properly beginning her journey into spiritmancy, which happened to be a field of study that remained obscure to Hatsu. With their conversation reaching at least one stopping point, his gaze drifts toward Caelia, squinting at the lass with a bit of scrutiny.

"Is something wrong? You're quiet for once, and that makes me uneasy." He observes, as the youth was often a hyper-active mess.
(Hatsu Wvelven)
[18:19] All of them went to dinner together? Caelia couldn't help but think that it was nice. Especially since they were such a large family.

"Oh. That's pretty cool." The youth's eyes focused on the remainings of the flames that were left at the bonfire. Her response to Hatsu's question is a delayed one– she did seem a bit aloof today, didn't she? It wasn't exactly the brunette's normal behavior.

"Uh... No, you don't have to worry." Her head shook to affirm her words, "I was just thinking about some stuff."

At the very least she seemed glad that the fire had been rekindled.
(Caelia Vellus)
[18:22] All could hear the thunderous boom of Hayes's arrival and anyone with common sense could tell that he was more than upset.. "Stupid, weak.. sloppy fucking swordsmen and magi.. They only win because I'm not as sturdy as someone whose fully grown..

That's why I need to get something that takes up the entire battlefield.. Something to help me zone out people.. Yeah that's all.."

His rambling soon turned into groans and mumbling.. Lightning struck around the Montgomery's feet, where he stepped would leave a footprint above grass that had been aged to dust in an instant..

"Soon I won't be stuck in this stupid middle ground soon I'll win even if I'm at a huge disadvantage.." After he was done ranting, Hayes sat down in the chair, joining the others in whatever conversation they were having.
(Hayes Montgomery)
[18:26] A moment of silence is paid as he studies Caelia for some time, but he could not solve the worlds problems. His focus laid upon his own for the time being, content with dealing with them before looking toward others. Sitting back to grow comfortable, his arm would drape along the back of his chair, his eyes drifting toward the sky as he mulled over some of his own thoughts. What laid in Dawn typically differed from any other city, as their practices had leaned towards the fields of study that were often banned outright in other settlements.

"Admittedly, I'm surprised you didn't look into necromancy, Aspen. But if you're intending on heading into the library, I wouldn't mind heading up there, myself. I need to acquire some information on a few things. And then there's some lessons for Caelia, if I can find some books related to cosmic entities in there. Have you visited their library, before?"

He looks toward the awkward lass nicknamed 'Peppermint', though he's yet to really puzzle it together. The grumbling and ranting of Hayes is briefly paid heed, studying the youth with raised eyebrows, but he had nothing to offer the troubled lad.
(Hatsu Wvelven)
[18:35] A storm approached. Not within the heavens above, but following the approach of a 'newcomer.' Lightning incinerated the grass in each step Hayes took. His disposition, however, didn't concern her. Another mage who deemed himself weak, or caught in a middle ground.

Aspen squinted in the teenager's direction. That was the only acknowledgement she'd give Hayes for the moment. With that, the girl returned her attention to Hatsu.

"I haven't learned anything much about necromancy besides it being an art of Azrael."

Could she appease two individual entities by practicing their gifts? That of Cain, whose blessing she wished to now pursue, and that of Azrael's to raise those who've passed to the afterlife? It wasn't much of a consideration.

"Besides.. raising the dead doesn't seem like.. something I would want to do." She shrugged.

"I've gone there before. I'll go later to learn more about spirits, and maybe Necromancy. For now I just want to sit by the fire. I feel a bit cold." Aspen sighs, picking herself up to move the chair a few inches closer to the fire.

"You and Caelie can go without me. I'll catch up with you both later on."
(Aspen Yano)
[18:36] Hatsu Wvelven says, "Sure! Later, then."