Level 11: 93,000/100,000 XP.

Choose any magic item considered “Rare” or lower:

…. I was going through my quests while waiting on sleep to claim me and this was the last one. I had not been expecting a reward this good, but I suppose the False Hydra was quite a monster. There’s so many items from the Rare category or lower though. Shame it wasn’t Very Rare, I’d have picked a Staff of Power in an instant. Amulet of Health was the first thing that came to mind, but I’m trying to remember all of my options before I choose. The Amulet of Health would boost my Constitution up to 19 which would give me more hit points and would make it easier to keep my concentration, but a +2 Grimoire isn’t a bad option either… what rarity is the Cloak of Displacement? I’m fairly certain that is Rare, would I rather have more Hit Points or higher evasion?

Wait…. Mizzium Apparatus. If the system let’s be do some “Rules as Written” shenanigans I can use it to attempt to cast spells from the Paladin spell list, provided I have the materials and the spell slots. Meaning that although I can only prepare 1st level Paladin spells I could use the apparatus to attempt to cast Revivify. Even then though, just having full unfettered access to the Wizard spell list would be game changing. I have a +13 to Arcana checks so I can cast any 1st or 2nd level spell and I literally cannot fail the check. I mean just the option of having Revivify as an option seems too strong to pass up.

“Mizzium Apparatus.”

Mizzium Apparatus - You can attempt to cast a spell that you do not know or have prepared. The spell you choose must be on your class’s spell list and of a level for which you have a spell slot, and you must provide the spell’s components. You expend the spell slot to cast the spell as normal, but before resolving the spell you must make an Arcana check. The DC for the save is 10 + 2 times the level of the spell slot expended. Revivify is a 3rd level spell so the DC would be 10 + 6 = 16. Cantrips have a DC of 10. The only downside is that if I do fail the Arcana check the spell I cast is a random spell from the same level, so if I failed the check while casting Revivfy I could end up casting Fireball instead. Which would be pretty bad.

Time resumes and a giant brass looking contraption pops into existence 2 inches in the air above my chest. It’s a big metal cylinder with glass tubes filled with lightning, and attached to the front of the cylinder is three leather straps allowing you to place the device on your back. There’s a tube coming out of the bottom that loops around into a large metal piece that you insert your forearm into and it rests around your wrist like a magic Pip-Boy from fallout, but bulkier and colored like brass. The wrist piece also has two glass tubes filled with lightning.

The contraption falls onto my chest and I let out a grunt in response. It’s not that heavy but I wasn’t expecting it to literally drop onto my body while laying in bed. As soon as it lands on me the wrist piece clatters against the metal backpack, and that combined with my grunt sends Luna into a small panic. “Harmony above, what is that thing?!”

“It’s called a Mizzium Apparatus, it’s a spellcasting focus made of a rare metal called Mizzium. It allows me to attempt to cast spells that I don’t know or have prepared. I was clearing out my quest rewards from the summit and the last couple of days and this was one of the rewards. I also got a few more spell scrolls. Glyph of Warding, Shatter, and Blur. I also got 4 Potions of Healing and a Potion of Flying, and finally I got a few thousand experience, but I know that doesn’t really mean anything to you.” I was at 85,500 XP before all the quest rewards, and now I’m at 93,000. Just need another 7,000 for level 12.

“A potion… of flying?”

“Really out of everything I said that’s the one that catches you off guard? If I drink it I gain the ability to fly the same speed as my walking speed for 1 hour. Anyways sorry if I woke you up, but I need to attune to this Apparatus so it’ll be ready for use anytime afterwards.”

“Just do it on the train, Ignis. Go to sleep.”

“As you command, Your Grace.” I really just wanted to play around with it, but I guess it’s fine.

“When exactly are you going to get the royal sisters to communicate with me?” I open my eyes to find I’m on the moon. After a few seconds the question asked by the familiar voice finally registers.

“Is it really too much to ask that I just go one night with normal dreams? I swear between you, the original personality of this body, and the old lady inside my sword I hardly ever just get a normal night of sleep.” I turn my head and Nightmare is just staring at me with a deadpan expression. “Listen I forgot, okay? There was a lot going on and it just slipped my mind. I’ll mention it to Luna first thing in the morning. Honestly you’ve been so quiet lately I almost forgot you’ve been trying to possess me.”

“I’d ceased my activities once I finally managed to take hold. As a show of good faith, but I can start exerting my corruption once more if you want?” She gives me a toothy grin, flashing her canines.

“No, I’m okay. Thanks though. For another show of good faith, why don’t you tell me if you’ve been in communication with the thestrals? Apparently you formed an oath with them before the banishment, and Luna has assured me that they are not hostile towards us. However, just because they’re not hostile doesn’t mean they aren’t still covertly loyal to you.”

“Oh. I was able to contact them the night of my return, but I told them to wait at their colony for my arrival. If Luna were to show up instead of me… I’m not sure how they’d react. They know Luna is the one arriving, correct?”

“Well, she implied that they know it’s her. I have no way of knowing if she physically appeared in their dreams and they were able to see her form, or if she just spoke to them. Shit it’s been so long I wonder if they even know the difference between you two? They might’ve just assumed she’s you.” I start contemplating if we should change our approach to the colony.

“Out of all the possible outcomes that one is the most likely to be true. As far as I know there wasn’t enough time during the conflict 1,000 years ago for me to allocate a few hours to have my portrait painted. If there was one it’s likely to have been lost during their migration out of Equestria. You should have her contact the thestrals again and be as precise as possible about her identity and where they stand. I was only able to interact with the world because of how strong your hate and anger were, but even now my reach only goes as far as you. I have no way to contact anypony else.”

“Have you figured out who you are? What you want to do if you get freed from this prison? They’re likely going to ask you the same question.”

“I want to rebuild my castle in the Everfree and start my own magical academy. I can use the students to cleanse the Everfree while expanding the amount of battlemages for Equestria.”

I squint my eyes at the alicorn suspiciously. “Can you see my memories?”

“.....no.”

I don’t need to roll for insight this time, that pause told me all I need to know. “You just stole that from anime!”

“It’s not false, though! I was inspired! I can rule over the academy like my own kingdom, have an outlet for my violence, progress my own magic capabilities, and it benefits Equestria! So what if I didn’t come up with the idea on my own. If they have their suspicions about me the element bearers are just a few minutes away, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Honestly she’s not wrong. I don’t know if Equestria really needs a battlemage academy, or if Celestia will even approve of it… probably not. “Alrigh-” I’m interrupted by a flash of white light.

“Sorry for the early awakening, but we’re on the first train out this morning. As my sister would say, rise and shine sleepyhead.” Blinking the sleep out of my eyes I can’t help but squint at how bright the room is. I move my arm to try and block out some of the light, but stop when I notice the light is being blocked by something else. Finally able to clearly see I realize Luna is using her wing to shield me from the light. Glancing next to me I find the alicorn loafing next to me with a soft grin on her face.

“Thanks, I’m adjusted well enough now so you can probably pull your wing back in.” One thing that worried me about devil sight was if sunlight or bright lights would hurt my eyes, but that’s not the case. It just takes me a few seconds longer than it used to for my eyes to adjust, I am probably more susceptible to flashbangs now, though. “We getting breakfast here or just gunna eat on the train?”

“Twilight seemed quite hesitant to cook. Apparently the young drake is typically the chef of the house, but he’s not quite awake yet. I decided we should just let him sleep in and grab something either on the way or on the train. Did you want anything in particular?”

“Bacon. I assume I can’t have that, though. Honestly I’m fine with whatever, just no hay or flowers.”

“If we were in Canterlot perhaps, but not here. If you’re lucky there might be meat of some kind on the train.”

“Do I have time to take a shower? I can clean with prestidigitation, but this will probably be the last opportunity for a nice hot shower for a few weeks.”

“Since we’re eating on the train, yes you have time.”

I half expected Miss “there’s only one bed” to try and convince me that ponies bathe together all the time, but there were no shenanigans. After a quick shower in a weird horse bath, I got dressed and threw on my new 8 lb magic device. I’m glad it’s only 8 lbs to be honest, it’s bulky enough to be an inconvenience if it was heavy as well I’d be filled with a lot of regret at my choice of item.

According to Twilight the reason the ponies around town are more friendly and less scared is because the zebra that lives in the Everfree came into town and everyone realized being racist is bad. If only it was that easy everywhere else, haha. I only bring up this up because now the friendly faces of Ponyville are more… concerned, it seems they’re more uncomfortable about the Mizzium Apparatus than me.

“Hey Luna.”

“Hm?”

“Nightmare wants a meeting with you and your sister. Apparently since the Elements separated the two of you she’s been able to clear her head and wants to make a peaceful return to Equestria. I told her I’d try and get a meeting between the 3 of you to happen.”

She stops walking and looks at me with concern. “When did you two talk?”

“Last night while I was asleep, but I can talk to her anytime it seems. Side effect of these eyes.” We resume walking towards the train station, but she still has a concerned look on her face. After a few minutes of silence, while we’re standing on the platform waiting for the train she finally replies.

“Tia has agreed. We’ll speak with her tonight.”

“Are you guys gunna use my dream or do you have a way to talk to her without it? We can just do the same thing we did when you talked to the soul inside my sword. We need to do that again soon by the way. The sword still can’t store any spells and I’m a bit worried about her at this point.” While I’m speaking the train arrives at the station and we move into a private suite at the front of the train.

“We could use your dream, but it’s more dangerous that way. Since she has corruption in you she likely has more power in your dream space than she does in reality. We’ll meet with her through a different method. I’d be glad to assist in restoring your blade, but I don’t know where to begin. You’ll have to guide me through it.”

As she’s finishing up her response a pony pokes her head into the suite and asks if we’d like breakfast. We both ended up getting waffles. “I had one last important topic. Did you actually tell the thestrals you are Princess Luna? Did they address you as Luna? As a show of good faith Nightmare informed me that there could be a negative reaction if you were to show up instead of her. So, I just want to make sure they are 100% aware that you are not Nightmare Moon.”

“Aye. There was an initial break in communications when I revealed that Nightmare was gone, but after two or three nights we resumed speaking. For the third time, I am confident we will not receive issues from the thestrals. Now, can you please, what’s the word, attune to that invention? I’d like to see a demonstration of it.”

“Oh sure but it’ll take me like an hour.”

Some waffles and an hour later, the Mizzium Apparatus hums to life as I slide my arm into the machine. “Since we’re on a train I’m not going to try and cast a high level spell and risk accidentally blowing the entire train up. So, this let’s me cast any wizard or paladin spell even if I don’t have the spell in my spellbook or have the spell prepared. For example I’m going to cast a spell that changes my size, and it’s one that I don’t even have a scroll for.”

Reaching into my component pouch I sprinkle a bit of powdered iron into the air as I mutter words of power. The DC is going to be 14 and my Aracana modifier is +13, so theoretically this is perfectly safe.

Arcana Check.

20 + 13 = 33.

I love getting a natural 20 on a roll where literally any roll would’ve resulted in success. After time resumes lightning starts to jump between the tubes as the device hums for a few seconds. “Reduce.” I watch Luna’s eyes widen into dinner plates as I shrink down to half my normal size. I’m immediately seized in a telekinetic aura and floated over to the princess as she makes some high pitched noise.

“As your princess I demand you stay like this until I deem fit.” She floats me over as she has me sit down on her bench and puts my back against her floof and wraps her two forelegs around me.

“Luna I can only stay like this for a minute. You have 42 seconds left, and I mean it. I literally cannot maintain this for longer than a minute.” I guess 3ft tall Ignis is adorable. Add weaponized cuteness to my list of tools.

“As soon as we get back I’m researching how to cast this spell via Equestrian magic. You are absolutely adorable.”

I just let out a resigned sigh and roll my eyes. I guess this is what I get for picking this spell, I just wanted to pick something that had a clear demonstrable effect. Overall I am extremely pleased with this contraption, I still need to test if the system will interpret the items wording the same way I am and let me cast Paladin spells. Either way this has been an eventful start to our journey to the thestral colony.

Author's Note

I was originally going to go with either the +2 grimoire, amulet of health, or winged boots, but when I was doing 1 last cursory glance over the list of items I saw the wording of this item and knew I had to take it. I've used it only once in a previous campaign and my DM at the time interpreted the item the same way Ignis did.

The item requires attunement from a Sorcerer, Warlock, or Wizard. Then in the description of the item it says you can "Attempt to cast a spell that you do not know or have prepared. The spell you choose must be on your class's spell list and of a level for which you have a spell slot...." You could argue that this implies that this is only applicable to the 3 classes that are allowed to attune to it, but it doesn't explicitly say that. Technically since I have two levels in Paladin then I have the Paladin spell list, and I have 5th level spell slots even though they are not a result of the Paladin levels, in the same way I can upcast Cure Wounds to 5th level because I have wizard 5th level spell slots.

If the item ends up being too gamebreaking or if alot of people comment that the item is a bad choice then I'll probably just have the item get broken in a fight or something, but I think the risk of accidentally casting Cloudkill when you were trying to cast Greater Restoration is a strong enough risk to outweigh the immense utility it will provide.

As always, open to feedback, and would appreciate any comments pointing out misspellings or grammar and...

Thanks for Reading!