Rewritten chapter

"Speech: Halkeginian"

'Thoughts/Telepathy'

'Spells and the like'

"Speech: Common"

"Speech: Draconic"

Demi-plane

The multiverse is a strange thing. It's a collection of an infinite number of infinite dimensions, or planes, if one will.

In some realities people have managed to explore parts of this multiverse, and many planes of existence have been given names by both visitors and their inhabitants.

Such exploration required some way of differentiating between planes. This led to the structuring of the great wheels. Basically each planar wheel is a single material plane with all the planes directly adjacent to it, which is mostly elemental planes, and outer planes. Elemental planes are what the name already suggests, while the outer planes are a bit more strange, as they do not strictly have to follow the rules us mortals would be used to.

Some of the most known outer planes are: The Celestial realms, Elysium, Hell, Abaddon, and the Abyss.

What all planes, and what all great wheels have in common however is one simple fact. They are connected through the Astral Plane.

The astral plane is also where we currently find ourselves. Or more specifically inside a small pocket dimension contained and hidden within the Astral Realm.

This Demi-plane is something that powerful spellcasters can create by weaving the very fabric of creation to their will, binding and shaping it as they wish.

It is a quaint little place, and it resembles what mortals used to believe their world to look like, which in this case would mean a flat island floating in a black void of nothingness.

Most of the island is covered in a lightly forested area and grassland, upon the latter of which a sizable mansion is situated. One 'corner' of the island however is different, as it is a rocky expanse of charred ground and multiple pools of lava are scattered across it. If one were to look closely one would see that the grassland ends abruptly, rather than it gradually fading as it came closer. In fact not even two feet in front of where the grass ends the temperature would still be that of a pleasant spring day.

If one were to however cross that border one would be struck by searing heat immediately, such is the logic of planes created in this way.

Demi-Plane: Mansion

Inside the mansion one would currently see a curious spectacle, a spectacle that would leave quite a few people confused at just what was going on.

The spectacle in question is a busty woman, who has the looks of being a lovechild between a reptile and an elf, dragging a man of elven descent wearing a full suit of plate across a hallway by his hand.

The woman has long Silver hair, that is split on to of her head by a pair of red horns, tied up in a ponytail yet still reaching all the way to her lower back sapphire eyes, talons for hands and gold scales scattered across her body periodically. She has a face that conveys undeniable femininity, and curves women would kill for, a long tail the same length as she is tall swaying idly behind her. Lastly she has a pair of leathery wings folded neatly on her back, the last detail needed to successfully identify her as a golden half-dragon.

"Damn it Raskreia, you know that I'm busy. I cant just randomly leave whenever I want anymore." Says the man towards the woman, Raskreia, in a tone that hopefully conveys that he is annoyed.

The man, or Half-elf as many could tell you, is standing at an impressive 6'8'' made only more imposing by his set of full-plate. He has short blonde hair, and blue eyes that have a look in them of having seen just a bit too much yet having endured it all.

"Oh shut up Thorgal. No matter what you might tell yourself or your subordinates, you too need a break occasionally. How long have you been buried under that mound of paper? And when was the last time you saw actual sunlight?" Raskreia speaks back at the man, Thorgal, she is currently dragging behind her in just as an annoyed tone as he had. "Besides today is a special occasion as you have most undoubtedly forgotten."

One blonde brow raises up in silent confusion at that statement, something that is not missed by the reptilian woman. She shakes her head in slight disbelief, sending her long silver strands swaying both ways.

"Today is the fiftieth anniversary of us meeting one another as a party. And I will be damned if you spend it signing pointless legislations." Her tone is conveying a deep sense of excitement at some prospect, and at this point Thorgal knows he will not get any work done. At least not if he does not wish to hurt Raskreia's feelings overly, knowing her she has prepared something big as a means to celebrate.

With a last sigh of reassignment he shakes his hand out of hers and starts walking next to her of his own accord. "Fine. It is not like the order will burn if I am gone for a while."

He gains an amused snort from her at his words, but whether due to her agreeing with his statement or not he doesn't know.

By now they have reached a set of double doors, which are already open, that lead into a sizable room which Raskreia had dubbed the 'Party room'. It has a warm fireplace, a large table fit for at least a dozen people, a large cushioned sofa at one of the walls opposite of the little bar and lastly a small dance floor in the middle.

There are currently three individuals situated in this room.

One is a white and black striped Tiger currently sleeping soundly in front of the fireplace.

The other is stout red headed and bearded dwarf lounging on the sofa, compressing the soft cessions quite a bit with his own weight and that of his own Bullete-full-plate. His stony eyes convey his own annoyance at something, probably the current situation, even as he is idly drinking something out of a flagon.

And the last person, currently mixing drinks behind the bar, is what at first glance appears to be a human, but on closer inspection reveals himself to be in fact a Tiefling due to his slightly red-tinged skin, almost imperceptible black horns camouflaged almost completely by his black hair and his long prehensile tail.

The dwarf is first to spot them enter. "Ah took you bloody long enough. The sooner we are done here the sooner I can get back to my forge." The fact that he periodically comes to visit on his own accord is left unmentioned by all that is present.

"Kwalin, Kwalin, Kwalin. Your words say that you wish not to be here, yet your actions in drinking three flagons of ale speak a different story."

All that he got from Kwalin was a grunt as he didn't deny or confirm anything verbally while drinking from his flagon.

"Alright" comes the cheerful voice of Raskreia "Zarhon, let me help you mix those drinks. Then let us get this party started."

One hour later the four people and the tiger are all sitting around the table eating a meal previously prepared, sharing what they had been doing since the had last seen one another.

It was going all well, and all of them seemed to enjoy themselves despite certain peoples reluctance at first.

That is… until Raskreia started to hear a voice in her head. Now while many people would think that the voice was coming from somewhere around her Raskreia is no such person, she can recognize a form of telepathy when she encounters it.

'My servant that existed somewhere in this vast universe…' the voice would go.

"Err… guys? You hearing a telepathic message too?" 'Also I'm no ones damn servant.' Raskreia says to the others in a lightly concerned tone as she adds the last part in the (hopefully) confines of her mind.

The others look around at one another but no one seemed to hear anything, but all of them are now on their guard and it is Kwalin that voices what they are all thinking "What does it say?"

"Eh its saying something about… hang on there is more."

'-My divine, beautiful, wise and powerful servant, heed my call…'

"It seems to be a summoning, and whoever it is, is trying to flatter me."

'I wish from the very bottom of my heart and add to my guidance and appear.' Then the chanting abruptly stops, and all is quiet once more in Raskreia's head.

"I think the spell is done, do you think it faileeeaaaaaa-" the last bit was drawn out as a portal had suddenly opened beneath her feet swallowing her up and closing before anyone could react or reach for her.

The next thing Raskreia knew was that she was falling (figuratively speaking) through the astral plane at ridiculous speeds, she saw many planes of existence shoot by, some familiar many not. Though she would try to reach some of the ones she caught a glimpse of at a later time.

'Well, I suppose all I can do for now is to wait to arrive at the other end, they should really work on the transportation method this spell uses though. While pretty it could definitely be faster.'

Tristain academy of magic (TAoM)

It was a rather nice late spring afternoon in the lands of Halkeginia. But it was not just any old spring day, no, today was the day of the springtime familiar summoning ritual.

Most of this years students have already gone, some getting impressive summons such as a salamander and even a dragon. Yes all of them have tried and succeeded in summoning a familiar for themselves, all but one Louise De la Vallière who was desperately hoping to be actually forgotten for once.

"Has everyone had yet?" asked a middle aged gentleman, one professor Jean Colbert.

As everyone confirmed that they all had a go Louise's hopes flared at being overlooked but it was not to be as one of her fellows, one of her more frequent bullies, voices himself.

"No professor, Ms Vallière has not yet gone."

'Brimir damn you.' Louise silently fumed as she went to attempt her summoning.

Most students backed up slightly already anticipating the incoming explosion as the girl started her chant.

As her chant reached a crescendo runes of unfamiliar design started forming on the ground at the summoning circle. And a small, a very small, tear in the fabric of reality formed. Not that anyone noticed as they were covering from the expected explosion and the tear was only there for a split second before actually exploding.

"Hah, I knew it" The same boy from before speaks up again "Once a Zero always a Zero."

Many, but not all, are of the same opinion. For one both the Professor and a blue haired petite girl notice a faint silhouette of something inside the dust cloud that had been created.

Inside the cloud one now rather irate half-dragon is silently fuming at her current situation. Getting her bearings back in check she uses her draconic senses to scan the area vaguely, and she promptly discovers that she is surrounded by a good few dozen individuals either children or some form of small race as well as a plethora of other creatures varying in size and form.

Deciding that her current appearance might be a shock to some she wants to play it safe and uses her greater hat of disguise to cast 'Alter self' to become a human for the time being.

'Its interesting in how many societies humans are an accepted race.' Raskreia thought as the dust settled revealing a courtyard filled with quite a number of children and a man, all human, accompanied by a plethora of different creatures. 'HAH! I love it when I'm right. Humans, all of them. Wait is that a blue dragon and a beholder?' further contemplation of the potentially dangerous creatures is interrupted by the approach of a petite little girl who seems to be a few years younger than the rest of those present. In the background Raskreia can hear the murmuring of the children.

"Look, the Zero has summoned a commoner!" Said a boy near the back.

"I wouldn't have minded summoning such a commoner myself. I mean, look at her!" said another to the first.

"Look at her attire, surely no commoner could afford something like that." This came from a girl to the front.

"Probably stolen, as if a noble could be summoned. And even if they could the Zero could never do something like that." And many similar comments were given much to the irritation of Raskreia who did not like being talked about as if she were not present, and her apparent summoner does not seem to like these comments much more than her either.

To Louise this was one of the worst possible scenarios, while she did summon something she summoned something that is in her eyes useless, a commoner.

True, a beautiful commoner, but a commoner no less. She looks rather weak if the lack of any visible muscle is any indication, she does not seem to be accustomed to any kind of labor judging by the well taken care of hair and delicate fingers. And worst of all the woman's figure is infinitely more appealing than her own, what with those Kirche sized mounds of useless flesh on her chest and eye drawing hips. Not that Louise would admit defeat to this woman. 'Great, looks like I might have summoned a concubine or something similar'

"Professor, may I try again? I'm sure I can do it properly this time." Raskreia is certainly not sure if that is to be considered rude or not.

"No you know the rules, you may only ever cast this ritual once. Now finish it please would you?"

'Lets play along, I don't feel like fighting my way out of a gaggle of children right now. Much less child mages' "Just finish whatever you need finishing then." Raskreia cant help but notice the slight blush on the girls face after the statement and has to wonder why that would be. As the girl starts chanting something and Raskreia for her part is trying to figure out what it might be that the ritual is meant to do. 'don't know what they are trying to do, mind control isn't going to work as I have a permanent mind blank active, if it kills me I have a clone back home etc. now why would she be embarrassed though about finishing this- KISS!'

Rask violently jerks back as the lips of a young girl meet hers to the light jeering of boys under the protection of crowd-anonymity. "Tiamat's tits warn a girl when you are about to do something like that."

As soon as she had finished saying that a burning sort of pain engulfs her hand, and she can feel beyond the pain something probing against her mental defenses but unable to penetrate the multiple layers.

Looking down at her hand where the pain is originating from Rask sees a set of runes, which read 'Gandalfr' over and over, being branded onto her.

Seeing the confusion in the woman's gaze as she is looking at the brand Louise decides to elaborate. "Those are just the familiar runes."

The half-dragon-in-disguise cant help but blink several times letting that statement sink in for a moment. 'This stuff only happens to adventurers… I swear!'