Into the Abyss

There are 7 “Schools of Wizardry”, each of which is affiliated with some type or element of magic. Despite the name, the Schools of Wizardry are a classification system and are not particularly related to “Wizard School” although most Wizard Schools specialize in only a few “Schools of Wizardry.” Every wizard has a specific specialization, which allows him/her to cast spells of the same element/type with greater ease. The Schools of Wizardry and their elemental affiliation is as follows:

Sorcerer: Element of Water. Sorcery is the magic of information and scrying from a distance. Sorcery also deals with any spells using water and liquids.

Enchanter: Element of Air. Enchantment is the magic of illusions and charms, of beguiling the mind. Enchanters also specialize in any spells involving air and gases.

Thaumaturgist: Element of Earth. Thaumaturgist deal with spells of a physical and earthly nature, healing, mending and spells dealing with the ground and earth itself.

Pyromancer: Element of Fire. Pyromancy is the magic of fire, light and energy. Usually spells of a destructive nature, pyromancers channel fire and light.

Conjuror: Element of Spirit. Spirit is animus, the element of life. Conjurers deal with spells that summon beings both magical and mundane. They also use spells that directly affect the spirit or soul of a living creature. While conjurors conjure animals and spirits, they are most known/feared for conjuring demons.

Runic Wizardry: Runic wizards are not associated with any particular element, but rather they work through runes and symbols inscribed upon things to channel the forces of the elements, thus they are neutral in their ability with respect to all elemental spells, but by channeling these spells through runes they may gain great benefits.

Necromancy: Necromancy is the only exception to the rule allowing a wizard to specialize in only one element. Necromancy is a hybridization (some say abomination) of Conjury and Thaumaturgy. It combines Earth Magic and Spirit Magic to do vile and unspeakable things, such as animate the dead, control and converse with undead creatures and even occasionally do what only priests can do, bring the dead back to life (this is only done rarely, since it usually is contradictory to the nature of the Necromancer, unless he/she intends to try and enslave the one brought back).

Chapter 25

“I wish it didn’t have to be you,” Jehenna said to Lenamare as they finished supervising the loading of her wagon.

“So do I, but as we’ve already discussed, no one here is competent enough to do what needs to be done. Only I possess the skill and the willpower necessary to cast and maintain the powerful illusions needed to fool Exador into thinking that we’re all still here. Not to mention, only I have the speed to activate the self-destruct spells and still teleport away to an unknown location. You are wearing the finder ring,” Lenamare stated archly, rather than asking.

“Of course, right here on my left hand,” she said holding up the indicated hand.

“Good, with that I’ll be able to home in on you exactly, wherever you are, and can so join you when my task is done.” Jehenna simply smiled and nodded in acquiescence. “You also have the type four’s ring?” She held up her right hand. “Good. Now, most importantly the book?”

With that Jehenna turned slightly and picked up a small leather bound gold embossed book from the small wooden table beside her. “Here, of course,” she said smiling deviously. “I shall place it directly under my seat in the wagon, where absolutely nothing can happen to it.”

“Good. If we lose that, we might as well hand over our necks to Exador and his minions. Is everything else about ready?”

Jehenna looked around the huge underground cavern where the escape wagons were being loaded and the mounted men were lining up in formation. She then looked down the primary escape tunnel where the lead wagons and horses were already lined up and ready to go, waiting at the edge of the wards. “Give us about another twenty minutes for the last of the wagons to get loaded, before you adjust the wards, then I’ll give the order to begin the pull out, and you can send the last of the soldier down the tunnel as you get your illusions in place.” She looked at Lenamare for agreement.

“Very well, naturally all my things are prepared and in that wagon,” he pointed to the wagon right behind Jehenna’s. “It of course goes without saying that my illusions are ready any time that you are. So if there is nothing else, I shall go up to the courtyard and await your signal?”

“Excellent, my lord, and then we meet tomorrow night...” Jehenna trailed off with an invitational smile.