Black Mage 1: "State Supported Mothers. If you're a mother and you have magic abilities, the state will provide some financial support up until the child is an adult, and the child is required to serve a minimum of two years in the military. The amount of money you receive depends on your abilities.

As for Adele being eccentric, I, guess? I don't know her personally and I'm not in the right social ring to pick up hearsay, but no one becomes extremely skilled at something without having some uncommon trait."


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After finding a piece of wood that still has embers, you take a long hike up the mountain. Close to the top, you find a cliff facing east, where you have a clear sight of Vranhal and its wall (it doesn't really have towers).

Kindling and wood are quickly prepared for a bondfire, and then you slowly take off your backpack, taking a look at the creature as you prepare your shirt-message.

It's about the size of a toddler and resembles a crow wearing black mage clothing. Instead on wings, it has arms that end with shining black talons. The beak on its face looks to be the same opaque obsidian-like material. A pair of glowing, red angular eyes watch you with curiosity.

With your message complete, you hang it by the two upper corners on the tree with the text facing Vran.

Time to - wait.

Climbing back down the mountain, you find a sword among the dead and bring it back to the bonfire. Planting it in the midfle of the wood pile, you light the fire and take a seat to rest.

The bird creature (it's a witch, right?) sits by the fire with you, and several minutes pass in silence.

The two of you jump in suprise from a loud crash nearby, somewhere hidden in the trees.


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Miimas: "It's possible, but a lot harder. Guns are tagged and can only be legally sold by licensed people, and you have to have a license yourself to own one. There're small, occasional illegal trades that happen, but anything large scale gets shut down.

Tanks are completely off limits to the public and kept in guarded military bases, and the manufacturers are watched by government authorities. You'd need a well-armed militia group to capture a tank.

As for mages - there's not a whole lot you can do to restrict the potential for danger without like, imprisoning them.

Vranhal seems to get by with having mages everywhere - if some tries to start trouble, there are a dozen military and civilian magic users ready to stop you. Almost every Vranhal mage has military training, too.

Must say something about the government, to have the populace be this strong with few rebellions."


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Aucupe: "A, turtle?

Hi Kuori!"

Kuori stares blankly at Aucupe.

Miimas: "Oh, I haven't tried it yet. Is it something I should be trying indoors?"


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Motioning the witch to follow you, the two of you hide in some nearby bushes, waiting, while watching the direction the sound came from.










Nothing is happening.


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Aucupe: "Yup, you're good. There are some other people in there right now, but they haven't started yet. Just talking and eating."


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Miimas: "I guess. There's probably something else to it, too."

John walks over.

John: "Miimas, the sword work for you?"

Miimas: "Oh, I haven't tried it yet. Is it something I should be trying indoors?"