Rift is Arcane Mage from Aether.
Lore[]
Rift’s life before Aether has only been alluded to. It is known that he attended the College of Magi for some time, and catches up with Knox, an old college roommate who works as a Battle Mage for the Dominion. He talks about ‘expectations’ put on him, and a past that may catch up, but by in large his history is a mystery.
History[]
Rift came to the island of Aether without knowing anyone, and in his time has gained a reputation for problem solving, advanced magics, and flirting. Originally wearing a simple robe, he attended magic lessons and bar fights alike, steadily learning of the island and it's culture. After several months, he settled into a routine of practice, antics, and inevitably recovery, before beginning work as a mentor of magic.
Theo (Now named Silvy) was the first person he took on as a mentee, helping her with the basics of swordplay, and with controlling her magics. This ignited an interest in teaching in the young man who's personal study had hit a wall, and set a course for him to begin helping anyone and everyone who stumbled onto the island with learning of and refining their personal magics and sorceries.
Joining the Artisans guild as a scout and enchanter, Rift lead voyages to various dangerous mining opportunities, bringing everyone back through his own portals. It was around this time that he began being referred to as "the portal mage" and brought on missions because of the ease of location access. The Seekers, Rangers, Winery, Guard, and other groups have all made use of his abilities, and he since been dubbed "The Aether Taxi."
During the formation of the Cosmic Knights of the Glass City, Rift stepped presenting a vacant city for use, and took charge of one of the three Orders, becoming the first Knight of Stars. Although a far cry from typical knights, he prides himself on the fact that power is to be used for the benefit of others, and the tenants of Nobility ring true for those aspirants he stewards. Alongside Jullian Cinderquill and Orarion Pixie they formed the Council of the Heavens and lead the Glass City from their distant abode.
As the war on Daedra began, Rift settled into a position as a researcher, documenting stories and facts, performing experiments on capturing targets, writing a public thesis to share information, and recovering Daedric Steel from battlefields. Two shards recovered from the War in Rove became Crimron's Daedric Shortsword and Rift's Daedric Chain, which in turn would go on to supply much of the steel to be used by the guard and mages respectably. From participating in the raid on the Daedric Forge, to the retaking of Alhalean, Rift became an ever-present element in the war. Until, during the confrontation with the Daedric Lord, his arm was ripped away as a prize by the enemy. Something drastic occurred as a result, and his Magic had been irrevocably altered as disorder seeps into his spellcraft.
Now, he is reluctant to rely on magic that always carries a risk of running amuck.
Powers & Abilities[]
Portal Magic is Rift's namestay, by using arcane to create small focused portals he fights with spell and sword, as well as moving allies and enemies around the battlefield or to and from distant locations. He remains accuracy even over long distances, but such rituals can take time that requires the protection of others to maintain.
Contracts give Rift the versatility to cast various magics outside his specialty, including a Magma Elemental Calcifer, a Unicorn, a Lightning Elemental Puk, a slime Squishy, and assorted other familiars or pacts.
Arcane Calligraphy is how Rift casts most of his magic, using a Quill to write magic into words and terms and algorithms of arcane design. As such he is especially skilled at scroll crafting and enchanting items.
Enchantments are a common use of Rift's downtime as he experiments with new concepts or refines existing items. Through working with the Artisans he has created several minor magic items that now populate the Island of Aether.
Ley Wings are a rarely used set of crystalline foci that cover Rift's back similar to wings. These focus the energy of the leylines into him more directly, allowing Rift to continue casting after running out of mana, but constantly wearing down his body in the process.
Trivia[]
- The League of Dads was formed to counter Rift's constant flirting.
- Rift tried on a skirt once, he was cute.
- His full name as written in his Thesis is "Riften D. D."