Information
Ascension the Graymalkin
Carpe Noctis
Legacy Name: Carpe Noctis
The Nightmare Antlephore
Owner: Chrysariel
Age: 8 years, 4 months, 3 weeks
Born: December 7th, 2015
Adopted: 8 years, 4 months, 3 weeks ago
Adopted: December 7th, 2015
This pet has been nominated for the Pet Spotlight!
Statistics
- Level: 128
- Strength: 197
- Defense: 10
- Speed: 10
- Health: 10
- HP: 10/10
- Intelligence: 717
- Books Read: 706
- Food Eaten: 0
- Job: Couture Designer
The Cave
The system of cave tunnels is relatively small, yet it is able to accomodate all the needs of a practicing wizard. Much like the mysterious antlephore occupying its twisting tunnels, it is full of secrets.
It can only be reached on foot by those willing to venture beneath the canopy of a forest that does not admit the light of the sun even at high noon. The two hidden access points are heavily warded and visible only with the use of magic though the main door is no less protected against unwanted callers. The black ironwood door is nearly three feet thick, studded with iron spikes and saturated with the best defensive shield that ever came out of a potion bottle. If you were to puzzle your way through this first line of defense, you would surely mash your nose on the steel door designed to remain invisible until one stands directly before it.
Inside is a comfortable living area designed for an antlephore's comfort. Two wide, stuffed mattresses lie on the floor near the fireplace. They are low to the ground with just enough padding to keep the cold of the flagstones from making his limbs ache. In a half-circle around the mattresses are specially carved chairs that can accommodate those that perch or swim, as well as a standard chair for humanoids. Noctis rarely entertains, but if he is going to invite a foreign wizard into his domain, he will not have it said that he is a bad host.
His assistant and minion are the only ones aside from himself that are allowed in the back rooms. Down a short hallway are two smaller rooms for storage, along with a bedroom and study for the only human in a 500 mile radius.
At the end of the hallway, another warded door opens to a large, strategically lit cavern with magical glow globes. This is where the real magical work is done. The formations on the ceiling and walls have been spelled against dripping and this section of the cave system no longer grows. The rainwater from the surface follows natural channels so that the interior of the work area is always dry.
A staircase curves with the contours of the walls, leading to a horseshoe-shaped library. Tomes of magic from the archaic to the modern rest on shelves spelled against dust and moisture.
In the middle of the cavern is a well-equipped laboratory with work tables, shelves and cabinets. On the left is a big stone table with a complicated fixture of glass rods and flasks and beakers of strange colors. The assistant's small desk is tucked out of the way, next to the rudimentary kitchen. Next to it is a stone pool that is deepest in the middle, geothermally heated and fed by a hot spring below. Two further secret doors lurk in the shadows, leading to tunnels. One goes several miles to the east, ending at a concealed and ensorcelled exit. The other is a shorter passage that eventually goes north. The most notable feature of the lab hangs on the far wall. The huge formation looks very much like Noctis' neck, head, and antlers. In the neck is another secret door that leads to the small, fortified cavern where he casts dangerous spells.
The Boy
Noctis relied on the denizens of his realm for many things. They were his eyes and ears across the expanse of land contained within his circle of protection. Every creature from the smallest lain to the grizzled anyu living on the southern border knew that he would be there to provide a feast when winter was harsh or to tend to the hurts they acquired. They in turn each claimed one small portion of border, keeping an eye out for intruders who would dare to test the strength of the magic. Most people lose their concentration when an angry anyu charges. They are his network of information, always alert to changes of any kind in the forest. There is not a bud that grows or a leaf that drops without his knowledge.
Most humans have marked that section of forest taboo, hearing tales of poachers who were driven through the black depths by nightmarish creatures too horrible for description. Such men and women always seemed to meet the edge of a cliff or the spikes of their own pit. Those less guilty ones who made it out alive would shudder years later to think back on the light malevolent energy force that screamed in their ears and drove them away with a hatred that was tangible. They could feel clawed, greasy fingers on the backs of their necks though they were alone beneath the trees.
Severen was different. When he felt the faded presence of a shade, he did everything in his power to reach out and touch it.
Noctis heard the cries of his denizens when the boy breached the northern border to stand beside the crystal-clear stream that marked it. The dark-haired boy glowed with an aura of his own creation, throwing out little globes of light that instantly faded to nothing when they left his hands. With his best efforts, the young human could not locate the source of the air-filled shadow that stalked him.
Noctis had no such difficulty. He scowled at the tattered form, so decayed and in obvious need of spell renewal. It was no wonder the boy felt no fear.
Still, the boy was somewhat intriguing. As the day wore into evening, he put together a fishing pole with a sturdy stick and a bit of string. The few minnows he caught were not impressive, but they provided him with a small meal. His powers were not developed enough for much, but the fire he started was not extinguished by the breeze. It was clear he'd had training somewhere.
Noctis hated to admit his advancing years but there was no denying that even magic cannot halt the aging process forever. The old wizard had used his skills in shape-shifting to mimic a rock, a tree, or a patch of clinging moss. On the boy's third day in the forest, he made his approach in his true form.
The boy stood his ground, though he was wise enough to keep his gaze lowered. Even a novice like him knows the presence of a master of magic.
"I've been observing you, boy. It is clear you have the Call of Magic in your blood. I have never heard of such a thing in a human."
Bright green eyes looked up for just a moment before once again fixing themselves on the boy's worn leather shoes. "I come from a land many miles from here, Great Wizard. My people have not all lost the touch of Magic and they have heard of the great Carpe Noctis who speaks to all things living, takes any form, and creates spells that can reshape the world. My parents had no powers but they were sure I would have a great future. They sent me to the local shaman who told me stories of you. I would have stayed in his care but the flood...it took everything from me." The boy bit his lip to keep it from trembling.
"I'm no soft-heart, Boy. If I take you for an apprentice, you'll work from the rising of the sun until the midnight hour and you'll be lucky to hear one word of praise in the time it takes you to learn all arts. Still, I like to think I'm fair. I will not give you tasks to weaken your body or consume your spirit and I will not throw you from my lands without good cause. My asking price is that you form a bond with these lands and take my place when Death comes to claim me. Will you swear to this?"
Severen knelt, bowing his head. "I swear on my life, Master."
The Spell
Noctis takes his time in gathering prime spell ingredients, sorting the fresh, healthy leaves of sage from the withered ones and selecting bits of amber that are free of the contamination of insects. So much as one rotten berry can entirely alter the effectiveness of a spell, if it does not instead consume the castor in a great ball of flames. A wizard must never take for granted the perils faced when practicing dark magic.
He stumbles upon the raspberry canes accidentally. Berries are his weakness, from the crunchy tang of the blackberry to the sweet burst of flavor a summer strawberry releases, but no natural flavor can compete with his love for raspberries.
The muscadine grape, on the other hand, is a fruit worthy of nothing but blight. He will mutter a curse on any plant that dares set roots in his domain.
Sunset is approaching by the time he hobbles his way home. This particular spell requires careful attention to detail so that each minute of the hour holds significance in the casting. He does not allow the warm fire in the hearth nor the comfortable cushion before it to tempt him.
Ascension paces the lab impatiently, trotting across the room at the sound of approaching hoof-steps. The graymalkin narrows his eyes and twitches the tip of his tail, a mark of his annoyance. "You'd better get a move on, Knocked Over. The moon will rise and set three times in the time it takes you to unpack those ingredients."
Noctis can never quite turn his worst glare on the minion that is both companion and walking spellbook but he does manage a good scowl. "Get to your shelf, Airhead. Perhaps this time you could keep your mind on the order of ingredients instead of those ridiculous chocolate mice."
"You should talk, Berry Breath." Ascension launches himself to the padded shelf above the tripod, working the cushion with his paws until it is ideally positioned. Severen rises from his little desk, staring at the sloppy scribbles on the page he carries.
"If my calculations are right, this night will be ideal, Master. Lunar output is at exactly eighty-seven percent and it is a cloudless night."
There is no time for chatter as the mixing process begins. The three work together like perfectly aligned cogs, moving in harmony to add a pinch of dried rosemary, a quarter cup of powdered dragon eggshell, and precisely three drops of blood from the palm of a fortune teller at exactly the same moment. Severen's young arms have no difficulty finding the right pace to move the enormous wooden spoon that is spelled against heat and rot. Ascension is there to snatch empty vials from the wizard's hooves before they can drop. There is no one who knows the limits of Noctis better than his minion. Ascension will never interfere with a casting, but he makes it a point to have a cushion well in reach and ready to place, should Noctis ever threaten to fall.
The final step is one Noctis must take alone. Noctis mutters the spell that allows him to enter the neck of the great stone head that bears his resemblance. The narrow cavern within contains wards powerful enough to contain the power of a demon with demigod powers or the force of a captured black hole.
Noctis drinks the potion in one quick gulp, hunching over as the moon reaches the exact center of the sky. He has the power to see, touch, and communicate with any force, visible or invisible, contained in the universe of Subeta.
What he says to them, not even his apprentice can guess at. The powers of darkness are for the master wizard alone.
Credits
Extra Code by:
Edited by: Chrysariel
Story by: Pureflower
Overlay by: Goth
Background by: Dranife
Animated Candle Flame by:
Gyertyák-lámpák
Animated Globe by:
giphy.com
Name Art by: Chrysariel
Pet Treasure
Magical Sticker
Dark Grimoire
Grimoire of Fate
Magical Study Notes
Book of Spell Breaking and Reversals
Mage Quest Master Plushie
Tome of Light
Tome of Life
Tome of Fire
Tome of Earth
Tome of Death
Tome of Ice
Tome of Darkness
Tome of Magma
Tome of Wind
Tome of Water
Sealed Ensorcelled Tome
Potions I
Potions II
Potions III
Pumpkins and Potions
The Necronomicon
Book of Noctomancy
Darkest Blood Magick
Spiders in the Dark
Daemon
Demonhide Tome
Bringing The Harbinger
Fiery Book of 911s
Book of Fire
Book of Earth
Book of Water
Book of Air
The Elements
Book of Stellamancy
The Thunder Stealer
Book of Magic I
Creepy Crawling Book of Creepy Crawlies
Virus Codex
Footrash Codex
A Close Look at Viruses
Love Bug Codex
Under the Skin
Index of Viruses
Morostide Hex Catalog
Subetan to Infected Dictionary
So Your Baby is Infected
Accounts from the Pandemic
Progressive Infection
Infected Memoirs
Calcified Book of Osteomancy
Book of Dririmancy
Boobitis Codex
Taxidermy for the Unliving
Watership Drown
A History of Necromancy
Gripping Tale
Eater of Dreams and Nightmares
Guide to Contacting Spirits
Book of Ancient Black Magic
Necromantic Grimoire
Book of Demonic Names
Self-Taught Sorcery
Powers of the Mage
The Discovery of Atebus
The Death Book
The Life of a Kumos
Book of Shadows
Pumpkin Imp Tales
The Perplexing Properties of Shadowglen Pumpkins
Book of Nature
Book of Bioluminescence
Minor Curses: Stubbed Toes
Minor Curses: Red Lights
Minor Curses: Unflattering Clothes
Minor Curses: Loose Strands
Book of Celestial Bodies
From Death to Life
Libraries Around the World
Carelessly Stacked Books
101 Ways to Bribe the Old Wizard
Virus Pin-Up Calendar
Introduction to Vegetarian Grilling: For Zombies
How to Add and Remove Blood Stains
Exploring the Underground
Brains on the Brain
Best Graves in the Underground
B is for Brains
Frankenbook
Fish of the Underground
Underground Sights
Undead Slang
Strange Bog Tome
Weapons That Freeze
Shield of Shade Scroll
Molten Boulder Scroll
Broken Occult Sculpture
Rift Research Notes
The Dangers of Time Rifts
The Land in the Rift
Reading Rifts
Navigating the Rift
Incorporating the Rift
Chaotic Rift Stone
Jagged Rift Shard
Rift Fairy Dust
Rift Cherries
Rift Queen Code Cracker
Rift Pirate Pearls
Rift Bait
Rift Octo
Rift Mermaid Treasure
Rift Bot
Rift Queen Hydroponic Seedling
Rift Blob Kitty
Rift Matter Juice
Rift-Touched Eggs Sunny Side Up
Rift-Touched Coffee
Tossed In The Rift Salad
Rift-Touched Bunny Plushie
Rift-Touched Pie Slice
Rift Fruit Bar
Rift-Touched Beanbag
Rift Spider
Rift Jelly
Rift Octo
Rift Matter
Hiisik
Mechanical Rift Giraffe
Rift Beetle
Riftsplitter
Winged Interdimensional Rift Monster Plushie
Nosy Interdimensional Rift Monster Plushie
Linebacker Interdimensional Rift Monster Plushie
Horned Interdimensional Rift Monster Plushie
Driftwood Plushie
Eerie Spatial Rift Sticker
Space Rift Sticker
Rift Fruit
Rift Special Ice Cream
Rift Headdress
Rift Head Compress
Shrunken Chai Head Charm
Shrunken Charlie Head Charm
Shrunken Darkonite Head Charm
Shrunken Kanis Head Charm
Shrunken Mallarchy Head Charm
Shrunken Telenine Head Charm
Candyscorn Keychain
Darkmatter Neko
Fennel Jelly Spider
Strawberry Jelly Spider
Vehnam Shrug
Cobra Wand
Sparkling Nependeathicus Sap
Upside Down Chemical Spiller 5000
Ice Mage Amulet
Wind Mage Amulet
Fire Mage Amulet
Dark Mage Amulet
Water Mage Amulet
Light Mage Amulet
Life Mage Amulet
Death Mage Amulet
Magma Mage Amulet
Earth Mage Amulet
Golden Amulet
Fire Amulet
Ice Amulet
Wind Amulet
Earth Amulet
Counteraim Ring
Evil Magic Wand
Astral Wand
Bubble Wand
Bluud Wand
Rainbow Magic Wand
Darkmatter Magic Wand
Twilight Magic Wand
Sun Magic Wand
Dawn Magic Wand
Field Magic Wand
Arid Magic Wand
Ivory Wand
Kumos Wand
Kora Wand of Transformation
Gate Keeper Wand
Wand of Power
Demi Horn Wand
Kerubi Wand of Dreams
Snowflake Freezewand
Bloodred Magic Wand
Water Battle Wand
Earth Battle Wand
Light Battle Wand
Fire Battle Wand
Dark Battle Wand
Twilight Warador Wand
Zephyr Wand
Magic Wand
Driftwood Pegleg Wand
Gold Pegleg Wand
Lignum Vitae Pegleg Wand
Maple Pegleg Wand
Plank Pegleg Wand
Lightshow Wand
Lightshow Activated Wand
Item Hunters Wand
Velvet Magic Wand
Teeny Pie Minion Magical Wand
Evergreen Wand
Feli Wand
Demonic Montre Wand
Clawsion Magic Wand
Sheeta Sweetie Wand
Malticorn Wand
Malticorn Love Wand
Ontra Battle Wand
Magic Ontra Wand
Lizard Wand
Bottled Coalbra Venom
Decanter of Mysterious Sludge
Potion of Life
Dragon Of The Sky Perfume
Bottled Stinker Acid
Drage Mysterious Vial
Bulbous Vial
Flask of Liquid Shadow
Necrotic Throwing Vial
Mutagenic Throwing Vial
Mercurial Throwing Vial
Acidic Throwing Vial
Destabilizing Throwing Vial
Bottomless Jelly Vial
Colossus Potion
Dragon Blood
Spiraling Ascension Potion
Jack Frosts Bottled Breath
Ornate Purple Bottle
Bottled Hatred
Yellow Celestial Flask
White Vial of Sand
Vial of Festive Cologne
Allure Potion
Vial of Dark Water
Stinging Vial
Quicksilver
Pink Vial of Sand
Purple Vial of Sand
Pink Vial of Sand
Veta Sand Vial
Delphi Sand Vial
Darkside Sand Vial
Strange Glowing Vial
Mostly-empty Vial
Lotus Vial
Lime Bubbling Vial
Licorice Bubbling Vial
Lemon Bubbling Vial
Grape Bubbling Vial
Raspberry Bubbling Vial
Orange Bubbling Vial
Cherry Bubbling Vial
Filled Clear Glass Vial
Expired Novocaine Vial
Empty Vial
Snake Venom
Bottled Cream Quill
Kora Bottle of Mystical Mist
Clear Glass Vial
Demi Dazzling Dust
Dark Dust
Shadow Dust
Enchanting Dust
Stinky Dust
Powdered Lung
Rainbow Powder
Mysterious Sack
Horrific Ghostly Aura
Oval Scrying Mirror
Wooden Mortar and Pestle
Wooden Scrying Bowl
Melting Kettle
Death Soul Stone
Box of Souls
Black Poison Apple
Blue Poison Apple
Green Poison Apple
Purple Poison Apple
White Poison Apple
Rat Poison Deadly Bonbon
Ricin Deadly Bonbon
Nightshade Deadly Bonbon
Cyanide Deadly Bonbon
Ammonia Deadly Bonbon
Turbulent Gemstone
Mother of Pearl
Moonstone
Sweeping Tempest Marble
Rose Tear Crystal
Dark Defense Tear Crystal
Blessing of Natural Armor Tear Crystal
Critical Strike Tear Crystal
Thief Tear Crystal
Singed Tear Crystal
Water Tear Crystal
Water Defense Tear Crystal
Ice Tear Crystal
Ice Defense Tear Crystal
Parched Tear Crystal
Light Tear Crystal
Light Defense Tear Crystal
Physical Tear Crystal
Physical Defense Tear Crystal
Wind Tear Crystal
Wind Defense Tear Crystal
Fire Defense Tear Crystal
Fire Tear Crystal
Earth Tear Crystal
Earth Defense Tear Crystal
Curse of Boils Tear Crystal
Shard of Evening Sky
Mahar Seeing Eye
Frozen Yeti Spider
Grufumbie Beanbag
Fossil
Silver Summit Key
Iron Summit Key
Gold Summit Key
Bronze Summit Key
Black Treat Bag
Black Bat Plushie
Haunted Chew Toy
Haunted Fish Bones
Haunted Fangs
Haunted Carrot
Haunted Dagger
Haunted Feather
Smoky Cape
Smoke Mote
Smolder
Spider Soup
Bloody Infectious Sample
Nightmarish Infectious Sample
Pale Infectious Sample
Rocky Infectious Sample
Clawed Monster Wet Specimen
Bloody Wet Specimen
Nest Of Spiders Wet Specimen
Mouthy Monster Wet Specimen
Ink Monster Wet Specimen
Burgeoning Evil Brain
Tombstone Bonbon
Gossamer Strands Scented Morostide Candle
Writhing Corpse Scented Morostide Candle
Golden Monster Hand Chalice
Silver Monster Hand Chalice
Bronze Monster Hand Chalice
Morostide Crystal Bat Chalice
Tentacle Chalice
Spider Webbed Chalice
Stolen Collection
Ice Stone
Sparkling Raindrop Vial
Cracked Raindrop Vial
Token of Tempest
Tempest Lightning Rod
Lightning Cloud Model
Tempestuous Berries
Wrapped Tempest Marble
Booming Tempest Marble
Crackling Tempest Marble
Sweeping Tempest Marble
Raven Claw
Jeweled Neela Vesnali Egg
Gargoyle Fragments
Gargoyle Fragments
Blasphemous Shards
Magnetic Stones
Green Fireside Flame
Blue Fireside Flame
Fireside Flame
Purple Fireside Flame
Potted Gladestalk
Magical Hikei Glow
Blind Eye See You Ring
Bottled Harvest Moon
Mystical Orb of the Gods
Glowing Orb of Reptiles
Divination Orb
Pearl of Wisdom
Mystical Purple Serpent Scale
The Truth about Matters
Matter Imp
Quark
Eye Candy
Plasma Bubbles
Alien Matter
Beach Ball Matter
Brain Matter
Cake Matter
Candy Matter
Celebrating Dark Matter
Coal Matter
Dark Matter
Darker Matter
Dust Matter
Firework Matter
Frozen Matter
Gingerbread Matter
Holiday Dark Matter
Hydro-Matter
Ink Matter
Light Matter
Love Matter
Nuclear Matter
Pilgrim Matter
Pure Matter
Rave Matter
Reborn Matter
Roiling Storm Matter
Sea Matter
Skull Matter
Snow Matter
Spark Matter
Tainted Matter
Time Matter
Vampire Matter
Watercolor Matter
Krampus Snow Fairy Remains
Jabbering Skull
Skull of Gold Coins
Nakahi
Grave Reminder
Kumos Skull Faceguard
Mister Sugar Skull
The Skeleton Vase
Angry Zombie Candle
Worried Zombie Candle
Oblivious Zombie Candle
Skull Candle Holder
Purple Skull Votive Candle
Orange Skull Votive Candle
Red Skull Votive Candle
Black Skull Votive Candle
White Skull Votive Candle
Grape Jolly Roger
Bleeding Skull Pumpkin Essence Summoning Candle
Maniacal Skull Fruit
Sad Skull Bead
Spider Ice Cream Bar
Skull Stirring Stick
Cursed Voodoo Coffin
Poison Perfume
Coffin
Coffin Keychain
Tin Can Coffin
Exhumed Coffin
Jawtures
Foo Dog Fur
Gryphon Heart
Elemental Candles
Skull Candle
Aloe Beanbag
Grave Robbers Charms
Drage Sew-On Patch
Box of Untold Secrets
Dark Thing in a Box
Damaged Gold Leaf Box
Moon Mosaic Tile
Intricately Carved Artifact
Forgotten Magic
Amulet of Destiny and Prophecy
Silver Bullet
Brimstone
Soul Stone
Prismatic Slime
Hikei Floating Orbs
Jar of Dried Deadly Nightshade
Wand of Power
Astral Wand
Legendary Staff of Mists
Velvet Magic Wand
Peacock Feather Quill Pen
Couatl Feather
Rainbow Quill
Sinister Quill
Gold Quill
Bronze Quill
Keiths Quill
Skelly Quill
Evil Quill
Raven Feather Quill Pen
Swan Feather Quill Pen
Pylot Feather Quill
Poison Tipped Qwirl Quills
Piraticorian Quill
Jewel Encrusted Quill
Item Hunters Quill
Graveyard Quill
Beagle Quill
Crystal Shard
White Coda Caves Crystal
Black Coda Caves Crystal
Blue Coda Caves Crystal
Green Coda Caves Crystal
Light Shard
Life Shard
Earth Shard
Death Shard
Bird Skull Pumpkin Essence Summoning Candle
Mages Magical Net
Absinthe
Pixie Dust
Honeysuckle Oil
Juniper Oil
Ginger Root
Raven Claw
Cobra Fang
Mythril Devonti Face Armor
Toads Wort
Black Tincture
Bewitched Pumpkin
Black Cat Snow Globe
Nightmare Antlephore Plushie
Nightmare Ontra Plushie
Nightmare Legeica Plushie
Nightmare Donadak Plushie
Nightmare Demi Plushie