Slicers - Harvesters of the Impossible

Part of it 's te money, yea. But the thrill 's what gives it that edge. 'unting them down, fighting for yah life. Its a rush.

— Sarn, Rouge Mage and Slicer

From the personal writings of Darius Kaseidis. Dated 4th of the Third Month, Year 446 Edean Age.
"First thing you need to know about mages is that what matters is inside their heads. Its not their age, race, occupation and all that other junk. But what's inside their minds will determine wherever they are your best friend, greatest pain in the ass or worst nightmare. Slicers come from the second group."

Mad in the Head

"Slicers are not sane people. One does not go into a land cursed by every imaginable force in this world to risk their life fighting shimmering creatures for money when they are still sane. And that is the bad part. It isn't about money for them. There are other trades a mage could enter that would easily make them as much money as slicing does. I don't even think it is about the thrill of the hunt. The Mortal Plain has plenty of creatures that make hunting Taken seem easy. There seems to be something that draws a certain kind of mage there."

Drugmerchants

"The first step toward becoming a Slicer is going Rouge. It should be no secret that the Hierarchy does not look kindly on criminal elements within its ranks. Image and reputation. You know the deal. So a mage first has to cut all ties with the Hierarchy. And no sane mage does that without a really good reason."
"Be it vile research, nationalism or severe disagreement with the Hierarchy's politics, the reasons are many but money is never one of them. Especially not since one can make just as much money by staying with the organisation and doing odd jobs for various kings and princes."
"So you've cut yourself off from the biggest support network mages can find and made an enemy that will not let you go do crime in peace. Great! Now, the next step is to travel to Ursine or one of the other places known as Core Trade Hubs and join one of the cartells. Not even difficult. They'll come to you."
"From there its easy going. Travel north to Theia and use a tunnelling spell to breach the Barrier Zone. Hunt down some Taken, try not to die while doing it, cut the Core out and run. Then sell the thing and ignore whatever poor fool is going to die because of your bravery. Congrats! You are a Slicer now."

Glorified Runners

"Now I would not care for them normally. After all, I've done my fair share of dubious stuff in the past. Difference is, I am not glorified for it. Slicers have become public heroes. Are seen as rebels against the oppressive authority of the Hierarchy. People love them. Are inspired by them to do similar things. Well, its not solely their fault. Just part of a wider trend in the human kingdoms. The fact that we saved them back during the Dread Wars is fading from memory. Barely lasted 400 years that one. All that is left now is anger at the stuffy and restrictive hand of the Hierarchy. Can't entirely blame them. But those Slicers I hate. They go in tere, all bravado and greed, without having any idea of what they are doing. They get wounded, killed, by something we know nothing about and then help spread its essence across the world. And they do it knowing full well how dangerous it is. Can't blame the ignorant. But the reckless I will blame."

What happens if you get killed by a Taken? We do not know. But it can't be a nice fate that much is sure.

— Eladas, Kugiren Mage

Form of Address

Nutjob

Alternative Naming

Fools
Trafficers

Related Locations

• Theia - The Taken Kingdom
• Ursine - Queen City of the Edean Age

To Be A Rouge

"Rouge Mages are those who have cut all ties with the Arcane Hierarchy, the governing body of all mages. It does not matter what reason you've had. The Hierarchy does not care. Most Rouges aren't even real criminals. They either did not wish to continue serving the ideas of the Hierarchy or had other ideas on what to do."
"Once you are classified as a Rouge, and believe me that is the one area where the Hierarchy will move at light speed, you will have no place where you can ever feel secure again. Every mage you encounter will be able to detain you. Bounty hunters, both magi and human, will actively hunt you down. The Hierarchy is quite generous with its bounties, after all."
"And if you are large enough of a threat, the Hierarchy will use all its resources to take you down. And that is a fight you can't win. Even I barely managed to edge out a draw. Took me nearly four centuries that one..."
"Living eternally on the run is not something you want. And to risk it for that bit of money..."

by Nuare Studio