At the stroke of 10:30PM on Wednesday night, July 5 the winner of the Arch Mage tournament dueled the current Arch Mage for the right to claim the key to The Citadel. The first of the best of three match started off slow then picked up with the score seesawing back and forth, going into overtime with Topaz coming out on top 6-4.5 in 16 rounds. The second match began a little quicker, Topaz scoring first and not relenting her lead to take the second 5-4 in 11 rounds.
Congrats to Topaz, the new Arch Mage of Twilight Isle.
Arch Mage Challenge Results
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Vanion Shadowcast
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Topaz
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Artemus was already on the Isle waiting when the fairy arrived for their appointment, carrying a basket with a couple of things to move into the citadel. “Hello there Artemus. I'm not late, am I?”
“Not at all, I only just arrived a little bit ago myself.” He replied with a pleasant smile as he stretched and shock his head. Topaz briefly scanned over the goblins present. There were sixteen of them, which should be plenty of help.
“Where are your goblins?”
“They await my summons.”
“Splendid. Shall we go up then?” Topaz quickly glanced up to the citadel floating overhead, and then she returned his smile. “There's no point in putting this off.”
“I'd be honored....especially since I have never been up there.” Artemus moved to stand next to Topaz even as she greeted the goblins and charmed them into gathering close. “Umm, should I hold on to anything?”
“No, holding onto anything isn't necessary.” Topaz waited until she judged the goblins to be close enough so they wouldn’t fall off the platform as it rose. “And up we go!”
Artemus waited calmly as they rose up to and through the bottom part of the Citadel and then arrived in the citadel proper, though he was glad for that rather than just a simple portal spell. The portal still made him queasy no matter how many times he had used it. He took a look around. In what he assumed to be the center of the citadel was a large fountain, the basin around it large enough to swim in. Pillars rose in large numbers from a marble like floor to support the dome shaped roof and the much smaller second story. The goblins spread out the moment the disk stopped moving.
“I should ask this, but the magic of this place will not interfere with my summoning of them will it? It's just simple warp magic where they come to my location.”
“No, it won’t. I already told the citadel you'd be bringing help.” Artemus nodded and pulled out a small pan flute and played a simple tune like he's Willy Wonka or something. Almost immediately four goblins appeared around him dressed in livery, smiling pleasantly as they moved over to the others to see what needed doing and where they could help. The island goblins had already found the cleaning supplies and some minor scuffles ensued over who would get to use what to polish or wash this or that.
“The last time we had a dinner party, with a table over there. I think this time we'll go with a buffet, music for dancing and lots of places to sit down. What do you think?”
“That sounds very good, put the tables and chairs along the walls and leave most the floor open for dancing or maybe make the area around the fountain the dance floor and enchant the water so it lights up.” The fairy seemed particularly impressed with his suggestion to light up the fountain.
“Like this?” She asked with a grin, when the fountain had started to glow with magical light. Not only the fountain had lit up but also the little streams outside, which he noticed when he caught a glimpse of the outside grounds in-between the many pillars.
“Perfect,” he nodded smiling, “but perhaps have the colors alternate in time with whatever music plays?”
“That is an excellent idea.” Her light blue eyes sparkled at his suggestion. “You wouldn't have brought some music along, per chance?”
“Only what I can play on my flute.” Artemus shook his head. “Do you want to test the fountains limits to know just how much it can handle?”
“I would love to.” The arch mage smiled. “It would help with arranging the furniture to see what light is where, too.”
Artemus nodded and stepped back into a regal bow, a silver flute appearing in his hand. “It would be my honor to play for the lovely Arch mage.” He offered her a roguish grin as he stood back up.
“Thank you.” She said with a warm smile that turned into a chuckle when he winked with a laugh and brought the instrument to his lips, slowly going into something easy. The tune was rather slow, but still something fun to dance to, a beginners' song one could find in any small villages festival. Topaz watched the light dance and change colors in harmony with the tune.
“Not at all, I only just arrived a little bit ago myself.” He replied with a pleasant smile as he stretched and shock his head. Topaz briefly scanned over the goblins present. There were sixteen of them, which should be plenty of help.
“Where are your goblins?”
“They await my summons.”
“Splendid. Shall we go up then?” Topaz quickly glanced up to the citadel floating overhead, and then she returned his smile. “There's no point in putting this off.”
“I'd be honored....especially since I have never been up there.” Artemus moved to stand next to Topaz even as she greeted the goblins and charmed them into gathering close. “Umm, should I hold on to anything?”
“No, holding onto anything isn't necessary.” Topaz waited until she judged the goblins to be close enough so they wouldn’t fall off the platform as it rose. “And up we go!”
Artemus waited calmly as they rose up to and through the bottom part of the Citadel and then arrived in the citadel proper, though he was glad for that rather than just a simple portal spell. The portal still made him queasy no matter how many times he had used it. He took a look around. In what he assumed to be the center of the citadel was a large fountain, the basin around it large enough to swim in. Pillars rose in large numbers from a marble like floor to support the dome shaped roof and the much smaller second story. The goblins spread out the moment the disk stopped moving.
“I should ask this, but the magic of this place will not interfere with my summoning of them will it? It's just simple warp magic where they come to my location.”
“No, it won’t. I already told the citadel you'd be bringing help.” Artemus nodded and pulled out a small pan flute and played a simple tune like he's Willy Wonka or something. Almost immediately four goblins appeared around him dressed in livery, smiling pleasantly as they moved over to the others to see what needed doing and where they could help. The island goblins had already found the cleaning supplies and some minor scuffles ensued over who would get to use what to polish or wash this or that.
“The last time we had a dinner party, with a table over there. I think this time we'll go with a buffet, music for dancing and lots of places to sit down. What do you think?”
“That sounds very good, put the tables and chairs along the walls and leave most the floor open for dancing or maybe make the area around the fountain the dance floor and enchant the water so it lights up.” The fairy seemed particularly impressed with his suggestion to light up the fountain.
“Like this?” She asked with a grin, when the fountain had started to glow with magical light. Not only the fountain had lit up but also the little streams outside, which he noticed when he caught a glimpse of the outside grounds in-between the many pillars.
“Perfect,” he nodded smiling, “but perhaps have the colors alternate in time with whatever music plays?”
“That is an excellent idea.” Her light blue eyes sparkled at his suggestion. “You wouldn't have brought some music along, per chance?”
“Only what I can play on my flute.” Artemus shook his head. “Do you want to test the fountains limits to know just how much it can handle?”
“I would love to.” The arch mage smiled. “It would help with arranging the furniture to see what light is where, too.”
Artemus nodded and stepped back into a regal bow, a silver flute appearing in his hand. “It would be my honor to play for the lovely Arch mage.” He offered her a roguish grin as he stood back up.
“Thank you.” She said with a warm smile that turned into a chuckle when he winked with a laugh and brought the instrument to his lips, slowly going into something easy. The tune was rather slow, but still something fun to dance to, a beginners' song one could find in any small villages festival. Topaz watched the light dance and change colors in harmony with the tune.
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Topaz
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“Let's see if I can remember just what furniture is stored below.” The arch mage pointed at one place after the other and whispered. In between two pillars a couch, small pedestal tables and a couple of armchairs seemed to group themselves into a comfortable seating arrangement; into the space between the next two pillars two love seats and low table arranged themselves into a similar grouping. On she went while Artemus was playing the flute and didn’t stop until the inviting groups of seating described a semi circle around a large space perfect for dancing. Lastly a buffet table appeared near the fountain.
Artemus stepped away from the flute - the instrument continued to play, hanging in the air and testing the fountain itself with various tunes – and moved over to Topaz weaving between furniture. “Now we have music while we work,” he grinned.
“That makes working that much more fun.” She nodded with a chuckle toward two pairs of goblins that danced over the floor with polishing pads strapped to their green little feet. “They look to be appreciating the music, too.”
“Music is a universal thing....everyone appreciates it...though not all types of music.” He smiled. “Well, what do you want me to help you with now?”
Topaz looked at the still bare looking seating arrangements. “I do believe we should have some decorations, in here and outside, too. Maybe some of those pretty paper lanterns for outside or perhaps just wispy lights. Which do you think will go better?”
“Alright... so don't turn me into something if you don't like what I pick.” Artemus warned with an impish grin as he began to glide around the room like he was ice skating.
“I only ever once turned anyone into anything.” She gave a rueful grin at the memory. “And that ended up with a squished toad. I don't think I'll be doing that again anytime soon.” Topaz watched as where his fingers touched, bright yet tastefully colored streamers appeared, winding up around pillars and between them, while soft colored lights circled around the streamers, giving them the look of living matter. “This is beautiful!” Topaz slowly spun around, marveling at the effect of the decorations. “Now it looks inviting and welcoming.”
“I think so, too.” He glided back over to her, grinned and rested the forearm of his left hand on her shoulder. “Still think something is missing though...”
“Well, the food won’t be there until Wednesday evening.” Topaz added some pillows to the couches and handed her basket to one of the goblins, explaining, “To dress up the buffet table.” The goblin went on, joined by two others, to make a display of the buffet table.
“Yea, no one likes cold food unless it's supposed to be that way.” Artemus laughed.
“Right.” Topaz joined in. “Most of it will be cold, though. It's easier that way for a long party.” And the aroma of the meat dishes wouldn’t offend Lucien’s fine nose quite so much, she thought quietly to herself.
“Right.” He nodded again as he listened to the music. “Care to dance Topaz?” He stepped back and held out his hand. “I feel like being silly...”
“I most certainly do.” Topaz accepted with a chuckle. Infected by the silliness, she curtsied and lifted an imaginary train in her left, then with her right hand part way raised, slid into a dancing stance, hoping Lucien wouldn’t object.
Artemus matched her readily and started to lead her in time with the music - just a basic waltz - going into a half-turn every so many steps as he smiled warmly. One hand holding hers, the other at her waist, not making any move to be fresh. One: she's his friend, Two: She could fry him without effort, Three: He was raised better than that. He also suspected that Lucien was close by and just outside the visible spectrum, but he was less worried about Lucien than actually offending his friend.
Artemus stepped away from the flute - the instrument continued to play, hanging in the air and testing the fountain itself with various tunes – and moved over to Topaz weaving between furniture. “Now we have music while we work,” he grinned.
“That makes working that much more fun.” She nodded with a chuckle toward two pairs of goblins that danced over the floor with polishing pads strapped to their green little feet. “They look to be appreciating the music, too.”
“Music is a universal thing....everyone appreciates it...though not all types of music.” He smiled. “Well, what do you want me to help you with now?”
Topaz looked at the still bare looking seating arrangements. “I do believe we should have some decorations, in here and outside, too. Maybe some of those pretty paper lanterns for outside or perhaps just wispy lights. Which do you think will go better?”
“Alright... so don't turn me into something if you don't like what I pick.” Artemus warned with an impish grin as he began to glide around the room like he was ice skating.
“I only ever once turned anyone into anything.” She gave a rueful grin at the memory. “And that ended up with a squished toad. I don't think I'll be doing that again anytime soon.” Topaz watched as where his fingers touched, bright yet tastefully colored streamers appeared, winding up around pillars and between them, while soft colored lights circled around the streamers, giving them the look of living matter. “This is beautiful!” Topaz slowly spun around, marveling at the effect of the decorations. “Now it looks inviting and welcoming.”
“I think so, too.” He glided back over to her, grinned and rested the forearm of his left hand on her shoulder. “Still think something is missing though...”
“Well, the food won’t be there until Wednesday evening.” Topaz added some pillows to the couches and handed her basket to one of the goblins, explaining, “To dress up the buffet table.” The goblin went on, joined by two others, to make a display of the buffet table.
“Yea, no one likes cold food unless it's supposed to be that way.” Artemus laughed.
“Right.” Topaz joined in. “Most of it will be cold, though. It's easier that way for a long party.” And the aroma of the meat dishes wouldn’t offend Lucien’s fine nose quite so much, she thought quietly to herself.
“Right.” He nodded again as he listened to the music. “Care to dance Topaz?” He stepped back and held out his hand. “I feel like being silly...”
“I most certainly do.” Topaz accepted with a chuckle. Infected by the silliness, she curtsied and lifted an imaginary train in her left, then with her right hand part way raised, slid into a dancing stance, hoping Lucien wouldn’t object.
Artemus matched her readily and started to lead her in time with the music - just a basic waltz - going into a half-turn every so many steps as he smiled warmly. One hand holding hers, the other at her waist, not making any move to be fresh. One: she's his friend, Two: She could fry him without effort, Three: He was raised better than that. He also suspected that Lucien was close by and just outside the visible spectrum, but he was less worried about Lucien than actually offending his friend.
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Topaz
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“The lights were a marvelous idea. They even make the music sound better.” Topaz was obviously enjoying herself.
Artemus smiled warmly he nodded his agreement. “I agree,” he laughed, “I'm glad you thought of it.”
“I don't believe it was my idea.” She chuckled at his innocent expression.
“We are talking about the lights from the streamers, or the water?”
“Both. The lights from the streamers, the water was already here. Do you think we should stop the goblins from polishing anymore? This floor is already smooth as ice and I believe I can start to see my reflection in the pillars.” The dance having come to its end they moved outside to see what decorating needed doing there.
“The wispy lights were your idea,” he chuckled, “I just mixed it with my idea.” He clasped his hands behind his back from habit as he looked around. “Now, the outside will be the trickier area to decorate.” The lighted streams had already turned the outside into a wonderland.
“Perhaps a little color to the trees? Luminescent big blooms, perhaps?” Topaz didn’t sound like she was all that happy with her idea. “Oh, and it can't hurt if they had a pleasant fragrance.” She skipped over a narrow stream and another on the way to the trees.
Artemus looked at her then the trees and sank into thought. “Could work...” He nodded slowly.
“If you have a better idea, please don't hesitate to voice it.” Topaz suspected that he was way to polite and respectful to call her idea stupid and that he needed some encouragement.
“Well,” he said at length, “where do you want the illuminations to come from, the blossoms in the trees, or a soft light coming from the trees themselves?”
“Oh, that sounds much better!” Her eyes glowed with excitement at the suggestion. “Yes, the light should come from the trees themselves. We can still make them look like blooming trees.”
Artemus nodded again. “Do you want the lights to be any specific color, or just a soft white glow?”
“A soft white seems to me to go best with the blues and greens of the grounds around the citadel.”
“As you wish, Arch mage.” He grinned as he used her title again and started going from tree to tree, just touching each one softly. From within the trunk of each tree pale white light began to radiate softly, almost making each tree look like glass. Vanilla blossoms appeared in one of the trees, barely pink orchids in another at the same time.
“Beautiful.” The blooms were Lucien's doing, Topaz suspected as she watched the trees come alive.
“Beautiful doesn't even come close, Topaz.” He grinned and turned back to look at the trees. “They look too wondrous for words.
“Yes, they do.” The fairy agreed smiling. “Stunning, rather. And they smell ever so good now, too.”
Artemus smiled warmly he nodded his agreement. “I agree,” he laughed, “I'm glad you thought of it.”
“I don't believe it was my idea.” She chuckled at his innocent expression.
“We are talking about the lights from the streamers, or the water?”
“Both. The lights from the streamers, the water was already here. Do you think we should stop the goblins from polishing anymore? This floor is already smooth as ice and I believe I can start to see my reflection in the pillars.” The dance having come to its end they moved outside to see what decorating needed doing there.
“The wispy lights were your idea,” he chuckled, “I just mixed it with my idea.” He clasped his hands behind his back from habit as he looked around. “Now, the outside will be the trickier area to decorate.” The lighted streams had already turned the outside into a wonderland.
“Perhaps a little color to the trees? Luminescent big blooms, perhaps?” Topaz didn’t sound like she was all that happy with her idea. “Oh, and it can't hurt if they had a pleasant fragrance.” She skipped over a narrow stream and another on the way to the trees.
Artemus looked at her then the trees and sank into thought. “Could work...” He nodded slowly.
“If you have a better idea, please don't hesitate to voice it.” Topaz suspected that he was way to polite and respectful to call her idea stupid and that he needed some encouragement.
“Well,” he said at length, “where do you want the illuminations to come from, the blossoms in the trees, or a soft light coming from the trees themselves?”
“Oh, that sounds much better!” Her eyes glowed with excitement at the suggestion. “Yes, the light should come from the trees themselves. We can still make them look like blooming trees.”
Artemus nodded again. “Do you want the lights to be any specific color, or just a soft white glow?”
“A soft white seems to me to go best with the blues and greens of the grounds around the citadel.”
“As you wish, Arch mage.” He grinned as he used her title again and started going from tree to tree, just touching each one softly. From within the trunk of each tree pale white light began to radiate softly, almost making each tree look like glass. Vanilla blossoms appeared in one of the trees, barely pink orchids in another at the same time.
“Beautiful.” The blooms were Lucien's doing, Topaz suspected as she watched the trees come alive.
“Beautiful doesn't even come close, Topaz.” He grinned and turned back to look at the trees. “They look too wondrous for words.
“Yes, they do.” The fairy agreed smiling. “Stunning, rather. And they smell ever so good now, too.”
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Topaz
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“Yep...that too.” Artemus stood there, looking from one tree to another, with a pleased smile on his lips. “Give Lucien my thanks for the help.” He added with a knowing grin before he was looking around again. “What now?”
“I think he already heard. I do believe we did everything that could be done today. Now we just should have to collect the goblins.”
Artemus stepped closer to her and whispered real softly. “I do to, but since he chooses not to show himself, figured I'd play along.” Topaz just nodded to that with a smile. She saw no need to explain that Lucien was aware even without being present. Artemus stepped back again with a wink. “Are you sure there's nothing more to do? I'm not a fan of thinking you have everything perfect that realizing you missed something.”
“Just the music, food and drinks are left to be taken care of.” When they collected the goblins from the citadel proper, they were greeted by the sight of a much transformed buffet table. It looked very festive with glass sparkling and porcelain shining on it in-between free areas for plates of food yet to be set in-between the decorations.
“What kind of music? Or should we send out a survey to see what everyone wants?”
“I was thinking a mix of modern and Strauss waltzes, maybe some island tunes mixed in would do nicely.”
“I'm more of a Caribbean music man myself....there’s just something about steel drums.” He shrugged. “But alright...sounds good Topaz.”
“Caribbean and Strauss waltzes it is, then.”
Artemus chuckled. “This is your party, Topaz. I'm just helping with the decorations; you can do as you please.”
“Advise is always welcome and given due consideration.” She replied with an impish wink.
“Ahhhh...” He drew out the letter with a slow nod, which had them both laughing. Then Topaz gathered the island goblins while Artemus sent his home with a short tune whistled on his pan flute.
“Thank you very much for your help, Artemus.” Topaz offered with a warm smile once they were back on the solid ground of Twilight Isle.
“Don't mention it Topaz...you just get to help me decorate for my Tower warming party once I have things settled and taken care of.” He brushed off her thanks with a laugh before giving her friendly hug which she returned. “It was my pleasure, I just hope the party is a hit.”
“I am sure it will be. I'll see you Wednesday if not before.”
“See you then.” With that Artemus started to walk toward the portal, then paused and looked back to her. “I may have my daughter with me on Wednesday…”
“I am sure she will have fun, too, and it'll be safe even should Vanion come.” Topaz assured him with a confident smile.
“Vanion touches my daughter and there won't be a force in the universe that could stop me from feeding him his entrails.” He returned the smile. “But thank you for your assurances Topaz. I mean that.” He nodded again and with a wave he was gone in a swirl of raven feathers.
“I think he already heard. I do believe we did everything that could be done today. Now we just should have to collect the goblins.”
Artemus stepped closer to her and whispered real softly. “I do to, but since he chooses not to show himself, figured I'd play along.” Topaz just nodded to that with a smile. She saw no need to explain that Lucien was aware even without being present. Artemus stepped back again with a wink. “Are you sure there's nothing more to do? I'm not a fan of thinking you have everything perfect that realizing you missed something.”
“Just the music, food and drinks are left to be taken care of.” When they collected the goblins from the citadel proper, they were greeted by the sight of a much transformed buffet table. It looked very festive with glass sparkling and porcelain shining on it in-between free areas for plates of food yet to be set in-between the decorations.
“What kind of music? Or should we send out a survey to see what everyone wants?”
“I was thinking a mix of modern and Strauss waltzes, maybe some island tunes mixed in would do nicely.”
“I'm more of a Caribbean music man myself....there’s just something about steel drums.” He shrugged. “But alright...sounds good Topaz.”
“Caribbean and Strauss waltzes it is, then.”
Artemus chuckled. “This is your party, Topaz. I'm just helping with the decorations; you can do as you please.”
“Advise is always welcome and given due consideration.” She replied with an impish wink.
“Ahhhh...” He drew out the letter with a slow nod, which had them both laughing. Then Topaz gathered the island goblins while Artemus sent his home with a short tune whistled on his pan flute.
“Thank you very much for your help, Artemus.” Topaz offered with a warm smile once they were back on the solid ground of Twilight Isle.
“Don't mention it Topaz...you just get to help me decorate for my Tower warming party once I have things settled and taken care of.” He brushed off her thanks with a laugh before giving her friendly hug which she returned. “It was my pleasure, I just hope the party is a hit.”
“I am sure it will be. I'll see you Wednesday if not before.”
“See you then.” With that Artemus started to walk toward the portal, then paused and looked back to her. “I may have my daughter with me on Wednesday…”
“I am sure she will have fun, too, and it'll be safe even should Vanion come.” Topaz assured him with a confident smile.
“Vanion touches my daughter and there won't be a force in the universe that could stop me from feeding him his entrails.” He returned the smile. “But thank you for your assurances Topaz. I mean that.” He nodded again and with a wave he was gone in a swirl of raven feathers.
He had remained beyond the visible spectrum, watching Artemus get much too close to his mate. It was a struggle to keep from turning the sky black with clouds and unleashing lightning to stab the ground, and perhaps the druid himself. But, Topaz would object to his protectiveness, and so it was better to remain out of sight. Although he did psychically touch Topaz several times during her obvious enjoyment of decorating the Citadel, he did not interfere even when the upstart put his hands on her to dance.
She clearly wanted this party, and he would assure that she enjoyed herself, but he did not think he could stand to watch anyone else dance with her. He would have to keep her close with all of the people sure to be around.
They had spent several hours decorating, and Topaz was enjoying the preparations beyond his expectations. Her delight at the vanilla and palest pink orchids appearing on the tree was enough to ease the stress over having Artemus around, and he vowed to surprise her after they left.
The fountain timed to music with lights gave him an idea.
She clearly wanted this party, and he would assure that she enjoyed herself, but he did not think he could stand to watch anyone else dance with her. He would have to keep her close with all of the people sure to be around.
They had spent several hours decorating, and Topaz was enjoying the preparations beyond his expectations. Her delight at the vanilla and palest pink orchids appearing on the tree was enough to ease the stress over having Artemus around, and he vowed to surprise her after they left.
The fountain timed to music with lights gave him an idea.
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Vanion Shadowcast
- Seasoned Adventurer
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