Art from the Overlander

“What the fuck was that? The whole security thing?” Hadha sank to the ground, leaning back against one of the library cabinets to catch his breath. The previously shambling construct of books and wooden shelves lay in a heap across the way thanks to Icon disabling the core rune. He spared it a sad look, feeling betrayed by the books he cared so much for.

“Hey buddy, you’re looking a little green there.” Qurikaza cocked his feathered head, giving him a good look over.

Faust joined them as well, immediately reaching a hand out to start messing with Hadha’s hair. He could feel his fingers patting and tugging at bits of it.

“What are you talking about? Stop that!” He swatted the tiny minitaur’s hand away.

A sharp tug as a single strand was plucked from his head. “Hey!” Faust held the strand of ‘hair’ out to Hadha. It looked exactly like a blade of grass. Hadha hastily reached up and pulled his braid forward over his shoulder, craning his head to look.

Not hair, braided grass... He let the ponytail slide from his fingers. His mossy green fingers.

“W-why am I green?” He held both of his hands out in front of him, flipping them over and pulling back his sleeves to see the extent of the coverage.

“Looks like wild magic. I’d know that kind of thing anywhere. You might have just triggered a wild magic surge,” Faust said with certainty.

“No, no no no.” Hadha's voice was starting to get an edge of panic to it. “You think one of my own spells backfired? But you’re the one that does wild magic.”

Vernon had joined them by this point. “Did you learn any strange magic lately?”

“No, I research all my spells very carefully before casting them,” he asserted. His spellwork was meticulous. Each one backed up by hours of research and practice. And if anything did go wrong it was always within expected parameters due to a specific casting error. Nothing like this.

“Maybe it was one of your spells that just kind of flung off to the side during battle,” he suggested to Faust. Faust looked dubious and was starting to back away from the rest of the group at this point. He looked concerned.

Hadha could check. Maybe with an identification spell he could see the origin of the effect and prove it wasn’t his. He took a breath and cast Identify.

An aura of fey-type magic surrounded his fur, definitely wild magic, and luckily it looked like it would start to fade and be gone by the end of the day. That was a relief. And the cause… one of his own spells. His bit his lip, keeping his findings to himself.

A voice emanated from the tower around them. “Intruder has escaped containment. Initiating lockdown in two minutes.”

“We have to go you guys!” Icon called out.

My name is Hadhayans Aldebaran. (Shot of Hadha's hands writing a list, in the middle of writing the second bullet point)

I am approximately 40-something years old (Hadha waking up on the floor of a wrecked library study room, eyes wide, holding a hand to his face)

And thanks to a powerful wizard, I was only just ‘born’ yesterday. (He's standing with the help of a nearby armchair, legs are very shaky)

I like tea. (Sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of tea and a croissant. Looks very stressed and confused to be existing, but is sipping the tea slowly. Faust is making some sort of mess with the stove in the background, while Icon shlorps past in the background in goo mode)

I can use magic. Spells cast so far: Levitate.  (Has knocked the mug over but caught it with a levitation spell before it could fall off the edge of the table. Looks surprised that he did this on instinct)

I ‘woke up’ knowing the basics of living; how to communicate, how to cook a meal, how to take care of myself… (In the process of removing his wizard robe in his bedroom, he examines a necklace that he's wearing with unfamiliarity)

…the rest I learn by reading. I spend most of my time in the tower library. I discover that I’m quite book-smart. (Happily picking out books from the shelves. He's already gathered an armful.)

Some of my knowledge comes from the books I find, the rest comes from… somewhere else... I guess that’s what happens when you used to be a textbook. (Finally rather relaxed looking as he’s sitting in the library armchair. Several stacks of books have collected around him as he’s reading.)

I’m still learning things about myself. (A view of his back as he undoes the clasp to his necklace.)

Today I learned…(The necklace chain is clutched in one hand while his other hovers to cover near his mouth. It’s starting to curl into a grimace as the laughing fits start to take hold. He looks confused and worried.)

That I’m sick, cursed, (He's dropped to his hands and knees on the ground, overcome by laughter.)

Unwell. (Rolling on the ground with raucous laughter)

Whatever it is, I’m overcome by bouts of uncontrollable, convulsive laughter whenever I remove this necklace. (He's laying flat on his back now. The necklace is back on and he clutches it tight with one hand as he is exhausted and breathing heavily.)

I… don’t know why I'm like this, but I’m able to add more things to my list each day. (He's now curled up on his bed in a fetal position, facing away from the camera. In the foreground we can see the list he's been writing sitting on his desk.)

Hopefully one of them will be the answer I'm looking for. (Final shot is a close up of his list that the comic is based on. List transcript below)

Transcript of his list:

"The following is a record of everything that I know about myself:

My name is Hadhayans Aldebaran (Hadha for shorthand)

I am approximately 40-something years old (physically)

I used to be a textbook in a wizard’s private library (Which one?) (Wizard’s name: Malthuos Everlong)

I like tea (scones are also good!)

I can cast magic. (Levitate, Feather Fall, Magnify Gravity) 

I can cook decently well (could be better)

I know more than the others about science and magic. A lot more.

I might not be very good with people (Difficult to confirm)

I like jewelry? (crossed out)