faderift | There's Always Room To Learn More

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There's Always Room To Learn More

WHO: Samouel Gareth and Anyone
WHAT: Sam is taking time to learn about his magic and certain items. Otherwise enjoying not being in the desert.
WHEN: After the Western Approach, throughout Justinian
WHERE: Skyhold, Other locations depending on posts
NOTES: Shenanigans

The Western Approach had been quite the trip; blistering sun, hot sand, dragons, demons... a trip to the Fade. Enough that Sam needed some time to recuperate - which only lasted for like a day before he was right back into the swing of things.

[Healing Tents]
There were still many injured after the mission, or sick after the mission, so of course Sam spends a decent amount of time at the tents to help get everyone on their feet. Thankfully it is not like when that illness had hit Skyhold so there are chances to actually breathe and rest.

[Armory]
Much like after the Fallow Mire, there were many things to deal with once the troops were back from the Western Approach. There were new materials to work into new equipment, and armor and weapons needed mending - the enemies and rough conditions had certainly worn their gear down.

When he has free time, Sam can still be found in the forge, mostly to look over a new sword hilt he's acquired from the ruins. It is a strange sword considering it doesn't have a blade, in the sense that it had been made without one in the first place.

[Training Ring]
After nearly losing an eye - not really but it had clipped a bit of hair off, which lead to him getting the rest of it cut a bit shorter to match - Sam has figured what that strange hilt was. Apparently he had found a magical sword, or rather greatsword judging by the size of it. Curious by his new finding he is often at the training ring when he isn't busy in the forge or at the tents.

[Stables]
At times the mage can be found in the stables, sitting across from a particular purple "moose". When he isn't sketching it, he is often walking the Hart around or taking it for a ride outside the gates - with permission of course.

[Kittens X X]
Sam is now a new owner of two kittens. Most of the time he keeps them up in the loft while he's relaxing, but it isn't fair to keep them cooped up. Every once in a while he does take them out either the two of them chasing after his on the ground or each perched on a shoulder or tucked away in an arm.

[Wildcard]
Anything and everything you might possibly think of, go for it.

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To be honest, Asher's wounds still concerned him, but seeing as Asher was used to working while beat up, and he didn't seem to be having too much issues, he wasn't going to nay say the warrior being up and about. Probably was doing him more good than being in bed.

"Well I'm used to shortswords and most blades that only need a single hand." Sam scratches the back of his neck slightly at that, reaching out to retrieve the hilt back. "Maybe, it seems like it would be good for that, and for defending since I can move it a lot quicker than an actual blade. It's going to take some getting used to for casting. I can certainly do so with it, but I'm so used to a staff." Completely different movements after all.

She nods, sympathizing with that since before Knight-Enchanter training, the staff was her only weapon. Fooling around on the archery range doesn't count. "I think the biggest thing to focus on is not overcompensating. You don't need that much force to move it around, but it can be tough to remember that at first. I made that mistake when first fighting with one and overcompensated in ways that could have been disastrous. A little force goes a long way, or it can it you learn to trust yourself and your reflexes."

Sam hums at that in agreement. He can already tell he'll have some issues with the blade, dealing with weight and movement. He's so used to a staff, knows the weight for a swing, feels the thud for a cast, but with this he'll have to relearn everything pretty much.

"Think a lot of what's going to change is how I am on the field. Can't exactly stand back and shoot with this." He would have to be in the fray a lot more, which some have vocalized concern about.

"You'll need better armor, definitely, and Barriers will become even more important." All the more reason to consider Knight-Enchanter as a path, since they're trained to make those last longer. "If you can requisition better materials, it'd be well-worth it. Anything from a dragon would do nicely." And they've killed enough of those to make it work, she thinks.

"Show me what moves you have again, though take your time. There's no rush here."

He's already proficient with barriers, and he does have Fortitude, but being able to stretch them further, longer, would certainly be a benefit. Learning to become a Knight-Enchanter certainly was becoming more worth while. "Better armor. Wonder what I could get made..." He's made armor, but it's been some time he's had any made for himself. Then using dragon hide and scales on top of it. Hm.

"You talking about my sword skills or my magic moves?" Sam gives a small smile at that, turning around to give them space to get started.

"Your sword skills, of course. I've already seen your magic, but let's keep things simple for now." Maybe they'll throw in some magic later, but honestly Korrin's more interested in seeing those physical skills, and helping Sam work out any kinks.

"Ah, right. My none existent greatsword skills." He's been using what he knows of shortswords and staffs to work off of, so he isn't completely in the dark, but actually getting some instruction would help. "Spirit sword against magic blade?" He knows the blade is made of magic, but he cannot determine if there is a spirit or not to begin calling it that.

Letting out a breath, Sam clenches a hand around the hilt and immediately a crackling of electricity travels from where the base of a blade would be upwards. There isn't a visible form of the blade, but looking at the magic moving about it there was an outline that gave away the length of it. Even with the hilt being made for two hands, Sam is able to easily lift it with one, testing out the weight of it again before shifting a foot back to get into stance.

"Everyone starts somewhere, Sam." So, no mocking from her. Korrin nods, uncertain whether to call his weapon a spirit blade even if it seems close enough to one in her eyes. Someone more attuned to such items can puzzle that out, later, when they're not busy waving their 'tools' (thanks, Sera) around.

Hanging back to watch Sam activate it, Korrin immediately takes note of the magic's flow, and the outline of the blade is noted. A different style to her flashier, very visible blade, but one that required constant activating. She takes a moment to observe his testing, before likewise slipping into a defensive stance and nodding for him to begin. Since this is more about this weapon and style, she won't make the first move.

Not at all surprising that Korrin wanted him to start, but it still has him sighing a bit. No pressure, right? His foot shifts again as he considers Korrin's stance, watching where her own weapon is. The moment seems to stretch, but finally Sam dashes forward, bringing the blade from down below and aims upward. It's obvious that he's holding back some considering he's not quite sure what affects the blade might have.

Korrin's patient, letting Sam take his time since he's still getting used to this weapon. When he finally makes a move, she brings her blade upward to block his own. "If you want to let loose a little more, I could cast Barrier." It wouldn't last too long for him, but maybe it'd make him less hesitant to know that she's protected.

He was certainly hoping for a block or even Korrin dodging. There would be a smile on his face at her doing so except that when the blades touch the energy on the sword crackles, a couple strands shooting outward then disappearing. At that Sam quickly backs off, brows furrowed as he looks at the sword.

"That... might be a good idea," he confesses. While the blade was made up of energy he was supplying, it didn't seem like he had a whole lot of control of the electricity running along it. "Just cast it on yourself. I can keep my own up... and I have Fortitude."

That reaction from the blades touching is fascinating to Korrin, who wants to see it again. It might give her an idea of what to expect if she ever does serious battle with such a blade later. There might be others out there, right?

Mention of Fortitude gets her to smile, and she nods. "Fortitude ought to get a good show, at least. Alright." Pausing to cast Barrier while giving Sam the chance to do the same, the Vashoth woman takes the initiative this time around, testing to see how well he'll block an attack from the side.

A show and perhaps get a chance to jump in with a barrier of its own if things got really heated. The spirit had rather enjoyed having so much to do during the past month between rituals, the Fade and wasteland creatures, but back in Skyhold it often had not much to do besides offer assistance with healing. Being allowed to spectate and possibly aid in a spar certainly was a change of pace.

Sam doesn't pause to place a barrier over himself, already bringing up the sword once more as he casts the spell. A good thing considering Korrin is already on the attack. At the suddenness and how close they are, it takes a bit more effort to bring his blade around - even if it is lighter, it still is broad and long. Sidestepping as the blades hit, there is the familiar crackle again, which has Sam momentarily frowning before he turns his gaze onto Korrin's blade, studying it as he pushes it away.

That slight increase in effort doesn't go unnoticed, though Sam seems to be compensating well enough. She nods in approval, her gaze momentarily darting in the direction of that crackle. "Flashy, aren't they?" While his own is steady once unsheathed, her glowing blade only exists for the moment it takes to attack, though as seen before she does so often enough in battle that it can seem a continuous blade in the hectic pace of battle. As it is now, it winks out Sam pushes it away, though it doesn't take but a moment to summoning it forth again as she brings it around for a faster swing, one that might be harder to block.

"Indeed," he agrees, taking the moment to reply, but not taking his eyes off of Korrin or her weapon. It's for a moment that he sees it go out, but as soon as his friend is swinging the sword the blade is back. Sam hums lightly at that, considering something for a moment, but only a moment since he's back on the defensive when Korrin advances again.

It certainly would be harder to block, but recalling on some past advice Sam doesn't try to do so. Instead he manages to deflect it just a bit - with a lot more sparks this time - enough that the blade goes off course and catches the edge of his barrier. Without it he certainly would have had a cut on his arm, but much preferable to a worse wound if this was actual battle. Course then again in actual battle there would be a lot more spells going on.

With the two of them so close he lifts his blade to block if another attack comes while spinning just a bit to himself out of the range Korrin has set.

All the crackling is beginning to draw attention, bored dignitaries or scouts glancing over toward the training ring. There are a few children who seem to find it exciting rather than intimidating, too, those accompanied by an adult held back from getting too close. If Korrin was younger, she'd definitely be one of them.

As it is, Sam is definitely keeping her on her toes. New to this blade as he is, he could be doing much worse. It's probably a good sign for things to come, and a reminder not to underestimate him. She steps back and paces, blade winking out once more, leaving her holding just the hilt. She doesn't summon the blade again just yet, this time waiting for Sam to come to her. When he does, she'll be ready.

As per usual when he's in the ring or doing any of his practices, Sam keeps his focus on what he is doing, only paying enough attention to others around him so that there isn't danger. So at the moment he can tell that there are people at the edge of the ring, but not aware enough to know they are coming to watch.

Lessons with the other blades certainly have helped, as does the lack of weight for the most part - this would be completely different his he had to learn to lift. It's a good thing they aren't using magic besides their swords or barriers, because this would be a completely different kind of fight.

Unlike Korrin's sword, Sam's continues to stay active, though he is paying close attention to the fact that the other blade isn't visible again - it's something to keep in mind. Seeing her pace, Sam brings his blade up again, matching her steps. After a moment he runs for another attack, copying her own move from before, and going for his midsection.

When Sam charges, Korrin brings up her hilt and moves to parry again. However, his momentum is such that she isn't quite successful this time and it's a good thing her barrier is holding, the energy around her shimmering as he strikes. "Wow, good one." But she's not about to call it there, not without giving him a decent workout. While she still has the blade, the Vashoth mage uses it as she sidesteps, going instead for a leg in hopes of getting him to stumble or otherwise impede his movement. Not all attacks are going to be coming for the midsection, after all.

Edited 2016-06-21 04:01 (UTC)

It's a good thing that they have barriers as once more the impact has his sword crackling, strips of electricity hitting the ground around their feet. It's enough of a distraction that when Korrin pulls away he stumbles a bit, his footing not right for the following attack the comes at his legs. Even with the barrier his reaction is to not be hit, tossing himself to the ground to evade. Thankfully he has the right of mind to deactivate his blade as he hits the ground.

Ignoring the murmurs nearby when the sword crackles, Korrin's mouth tightens for a moment in worry before giving way to relief when that blade is deactivated. When Sam drops to the ground, Korrin moves as though to take advantage of his current predicament. After all, any true opponent would. Knowing the barrier's in place, she causes it to shimmer with her swing, though it's more to keep Sam on his toes than to aim at any particular part this time.

"Call it or continue? Or we can find something to hunt."

With how close the swing comes, causing his barrier to flash, Sam stiffens and stops moving. After a moment though he sighs and lets his head thunk back on the ground. In a normal fight he would have his magic to help him from situations like this, but this fight was just about them using their swords.

"I think call it. Think I need a break from practice." Pushing himself up into a sitting position he raises a brow. "Hunt what?"

Nodding, Korrin immediately allows her spirit blade to flicker out and she straightens. "Bears or whatever else is nearby in the mountains, though the former would be a good challenge. You learn fast how to fight close-range with one of those assholes around, trust me."

"A bear." At least she isn't suggesting a dragon. Grunting, Sam gets up from the ground, dusting himself off. "Well if we're going to find a bear I'd to not attack it right away. They're damn tanks and wouldn't hurt to learn to be one in a pinch."

Edited 2016-06-27 22:20 (UTC)

That notion gets a grin out of Korrin, who can see the wisdom -and sheer badassery- involved. "Okay, now I have to see you do that. There's no question. Between your new weapon and shapeshifting, you know how to make a field trip interesting, Sam." Sure, it was her idea, but he's providing the best kind of incentive to go.

Well someone was pretty happy about hearing that. Sam grins back, patting himself off after putting away his new blade. "Glad to hear I make things interesting. Have you considered learning shapeshifting?" All the cool kids were doing it, Korrin.

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