West of Ten Kingdoms - Sea Fang Tribe - Original Enclave

Yøtál wiped her son’s blood from her face but couldn’t take her gaze from his shattered remains. Their plans to regain control of the tribe were in ashes now with his death. Dying clutching at his head while screaming about a piercing sound no one else could hear had left her family’s reputation in tatters. That his body had erupted into a gout of blood and bone showed her family’s ill-favour clearer still.

The Sea Fangs’ loyal warriors were already clashing with those enticed from other tribes over who would rule. None of them were paying heed to the generations her line had led. The shameful way Vårtál had died had cast all that to the sea beasts. The information offered by Lady Epochē’s hags that night had ensured the end of her family’s pride and strength. It might be generations before the tribe recovered the numbers lost today alone, allowing those who now followed the foreign Gods more time to gain strength.

The initial powers granted by Viper had won her youngest son favour, but they’d proved weak compared to what they’d witnessed once the caverns became theirs. Then came the night of the fire with Viper’s favoured icon erupting in flames, while her other face’s glow banished all shadows within its chamber. Those who’d favoured her had taken over rulership within the day.

Distracted by grief, anger, and fermenting plans to recover her family’s pride, she was too late to brace against the attack. Her bound spirits struck together to wrench her Soul from flesh and cast it into the depths.

Usd’ghi - Usd’ghi Fortress - Abyssal Plane: Caverns of the Skull

The bone quill skittered across the parchment when it fell from Usd’ghi’s grasp, leaving the ledger with a spreading blot of ink. Severed threads of fate writhed in her awareness, and she slowly drew in the remains of Viper’s Mantle. The death of the fledgling’s few Priests still shone within it, echoing energy she’d not felt in eons.

“True Song obliterated her?” gasped Usd’ghi.

“Grandchild, send Raivo a bill. He was supposed to make Viper believe she was working for him behind my back. He wasn’t supposed to drop her in a situation that would cause her utter destruction.”

A moment of focus had the furious Message sent, and she considered the plans further ruined by this turn of events.

“Lady of the Burning Tempest, Reaper of Souls, is a delightful addition to my other titles.”

A strange surge prompted the use of an Empowered Dusk Emerald, and the new Power showing in her imprint brings forth a twisted smile. “Send a Dretch in here.”

She relaxed and awaited his arrival, slowly tapping black nails across the marble desk. The plodding brute doesn’t even risk meeting her gaze but approaches within arm’s reach as soon as she motions him forward. His heavy footsteps have barely ceased when Usd’ghi grabs his hand, and Energy Drain pulls life from him. The body hits the ground with a thump that seems odd, Usd’ghi having expected a drained sack of bones. Focusing on the Demonic Shard nearly lost amid her accumulated strength, only its unassimilated state making it stand out. The tiny sliver of Abyssal energy is seemingly a dark star within the glowing rush of health.

“Now I’ve confirmation how she grew so fast, at least. I’ll have to see if I can grant it to my lineage and the faithful.” Usd’ghi murmured to herself. “Hmm, that might be a dangerous course—I’ll test its limits first.”

Amdirlain’s PoV - Limbo - Monastery of Will’s Hand

Nine Novices swarmed around Amdirlain with energy that put Pip’s liveliness to shame when the meditation session ended. While other Novices walked away, Sarith seemed split between giving Amdirlain an earful and joining the exodus. Amdirlain quickly turned to Nomein and ignored the girl’s glare at her back. Though the other Novices clearly would have interrogated her, those gathered seemed strangely tense given their excitement.

I hope Liranë takes things better than Sarith’s reaction.

Nomein brought out a rainbow-hued crystal—barely the size of her palm—that floated the moment she let it go. It reacted to a thought from her and spilled forth a burst of colour before an image formed above it. The replayed moment showed a closeup of the Hydrate Spell wrapping Liranë in water and, in slow motion, her parched skin slowly filled out. “What’s that effect?”

“It’s a Spell called Hydrate, and requires Water Affinity obviously,” replied Amdirlain, and looked the crystal over closely.

“Know this is one type of psi-crystal—most amplify various psionic skills or techniques—cheap ones only record events,” Nomein explained and motioned her to go on. “We heard you say that, but what does it do? Why did you cast it on Liranë?”

“You can last far longer without food than water. If you lose too much water and don’t replenish it, you’ll eventually pass out or die. Even if you recover, you can do damage to your organs. I was worried about her when I spotted her sweating stop,” replied Amdirlain and nodded at the crystal. “Why are they cheap?”

“Know apprentice crafters churn out thousands of them practicing,” Zenya said, having beaten others to Amdirlain’s side.

Lezekus shook her head, and the motion made the ends of her cornrows dance. “Know some of my father’s apprentices churn out tens of thousands before reaching journeyman rank. Know that father says in his great grandsire’s time they’d grind them all up and dissolve the powder in acid to provide a base to grow the next batch.”

“How do they work?”

“Know they capture memories of the moment, where better psi-crystals take imprints of skills or techniques being used,” explained Lezekus. “Know after attuning to the crystal any moments recorded in them are accessible.”

“Know that rumours circulate saying you challenged Liranë to the death,” Gemiya interjected, cutting Lezekus off when she went to continue.

“That’s not correct, and I wouldn’t put trust in rumours,” Amdirlain said, with a grimace at the thought of wild tales. ”Delegate Tallis escalated my challenge to her rejecting Master Jarithä’s permission into a death challenge, but it was against various rules. Master Healer Elliyna took exception to Tallis breaching one of them in particular.”

The explanation eased away much of the tension she’d noticed among them.

“You’re under a Healer’s care?!” exclaimed several Novices. “Is that where you go when we’re attending to evening duties?”

“Know that it certainly didn’t impact your ability to fight, and the why is not our business,” Gemiya stated firmly, cutting off further questions on some girls’ lips.

“Healer Elliyna gave me some advice about using the challenge to aid my healing, but I’ve got a long road ahead.”

Gemiya looked at her in confusion. “Is that why you drew it out?”

“No, it was an honour to fight Liranë, and we were both improving from it. If I’d ended the fight sooner, we’d have certainly learnt less,” explained Amdirlain.

“Know that Sarith is furious with you for extending it, plus lying about what techniques you know,” stated Zenya with a glance at Gemiya.

Amdirlain gave Zenya a puzzled look and saw the worry in her grey gaze. “I barely made use of any psi techniques. I mainly made use of other powers and skills rather than psionics. Liranë would overwhelm my precognition technique with possibilities.”

“What were the three types of armouring you used?” enquired Gemiya, the last of her tension lifted by Amdirlain’s reassurance. “Know that many thought they were some unknown psi-techniques.”

Many being Sarith perhaps? Ki hardening my flesh counts as protection but they can’t see that.

“I started the fight with four protective layers—one isn’t visible—but none were psi techniques. Three, I’ve learnt from my Monk Class, and while the other is different, it’s a Power, not a technique.” Amdirlain replied, glad the psi-barriers had prevented the broadcast of emotions from the Angelic Aura.

“Four to Liranë’s one?!” Zenya exclaimed, only to get hushed by Gemiya.

“Three are individually weaker than Liranë’s psi-armour,” countered Amdirlain. “I thought a few times she was going to beat me. Breakfast will be soon. Does anyone need to wash up still?”

The question caused a rush of Novices heading to the dormitory. Amdirlain followed them slowly, only to have Nomein and Zenya flank her.

“Know some of us are accustomed to rising earlier than here,” Zenya stated at Amdirlain’s questioning look.

At the girl’s smug look, Amdirlain laughed in amusement. “When I was your age, there were a few times my family dragged me out of bed—getting up early voluntarily didn’t happen.”

No, damn it! I just used an ‘in my day line’, shoot me now; at least it wasn’t a putdown towards their habits. I haven’t slept in years, is that part of why I rarely feel rested anymore?

“Know everyone wanted to get to the challenge early each morning—including Master Tenzin,” said Nomein.

“I’d bet some Novices were cheering for Liranë,” teased Amdirlain and laughed again at the admission provided by Zenya’s rueful look.

Nomein rolled her eyes at the teasing. “Know she was requesting to switch tables so fervently last night that she’s even got Gemiya unsettled. Does she think Master Tenzin’s going to forgive her behaviour that first meal?”

“Hatred and fear grow dangerous fruit, but I don’t expect everyone to like me,” replied Amdirlain. “Lots of people dislike those different from themselves, but the Githzerai reputation portrays you as xenophobic. Perhaps she takes that attitude too much to heart?”

“Know that battles caused by outsiders fill our histories,” advised Zenya.

“I first found this monastery by stepping through a Portal. My initial interaction with the monastery involved dodging boulders, and continued with two Monks attacking me. Might some events have another side?” asked Amdirlain gently.

“Are you saying our elders are wrong?” challenged Zenya suspiciously.

Amdirlain stopped and face Zenya while she considered how to explain her perspective. “Given the actions of the Illithid, I can understand how your people’s attitude originated. I’ve also met a lot of hostile entities so it may be as it is written. I only asked if some had another side. What others do is their choice, but I prefer to avoid killing those that don’t deserve it. I will admit I was more cautious when I returned, and that’s worked out well.”

Zenya looked a bit abashed at Amdirlain’s words and gave a murmured apology. Patting her shoulder Amdirlain turned towards the refectory, only to find Nomein staring at her with an incredulous look. “You count nearly facing a death challenge as having worked out well?”

“But it wasn’t a death challenge, and I really enjoyed fighting Liranë. I hope she’ll be alright, and wants to fight again sometime,” replied Amdirlain brightly, ignoring the look of disbelief she got from them both.

“Why?” they asked in unison, the echo causing Amdirlain to laugh.

“I learnt a lot, and the way her fighting techniques adjusted, I’m sure she did as well.” Amdirlain paused a moment in her reply and gestured for the pair to wait. “We spoke before the challenge, and I had a good impression of her.”

“Know that Sarith is very upset you beat her,” noted Zenya softly. “Know she was a big devotee of Liranë during the competition to gain her position a few years ago.”

“Ouch, yet another crime to punish me for in her eyes then,” sighed Amdirlain.

The rest of the Novices weren’t long joining them in the refectory. When the meal was served, nearly everyone drew out a psi-crystal playing one scene or another while they ate. Amdirlain saw an image of Liranë’s combination kick that had sent her sprawling, playing on Sarith’s. “She set me up perfectly for that kick. I thought she’d stumbled during her recovery from my throw.”

“Know I’m not interested in hearing you speak about her—I don’t trust you, outsider,” declared Sarith, and returned to watching the image while she ate.

Keeping a straight face at Sarith’s irate tone, it was tempting to ignore her behaviour, but Amdirlain didn’t want to easily let it go. “I’d intended no disrespect to Liranë. Could you explain why the events in the challenge showed disrespect?”

“Know that I’ll not educate an outsider since you clearly shouldn’t be here,” huffed Sarith, without shifting her gaze off the image.

Catching the pained look in Gemiya’s gaze, Amdirlain changed her approach to reach the girl.

“Here’s my perspective and some questions to consider. Would you cut short a lesson with one of the best-unarmed combatants you’ve met? I gained so many insights fighting her it was an incredible experience. It was an honour and might be my only chance to learn from her.”

“What?” snapped Sarith and almost dropped the crystal on her food.

Amdirlain took in her gobbed-smacked look and continued on, glad she’d cracked the girl’s shell of anger. “Would you cut that lesson short or eke out everything you could from it?”

“You enjoyed fighting her?”

Amdirlain grinned and the remembered rush from the battle light up her gaze. “It was the best fun I’ve had in so long.”

Gemiya spoke up, cutting in on the stunned Sarith. “Know by frequently letting her go it appeared you held her in contempt,”

“The times I let her go, I didn’t want to risk crippling her. Overpowering her through brute strength alone wouldn’t have given us insights towards improving. I’ve gotten through using brute force to fight so many foes, but that wouldn’t have been respectful to her skill.”

“You expect me to believe you could have overpowered her?” sneered Sarith.

“Did you notice the times when the stone was cracking underfoot wherever I stepped?”

Still looking off-balance, Sarith frowned and managed a mutter. “How is that related to anything?

“That was from a technique Liranë used to increase my weight, not from anything I was doing. It gave me so many insights into ensuring I kept my movements agile and light. Three points for you to consider: when she started using the technique, it felt like someone was sitting on my shoulders; each successive time, its increase was deliberately measured; lastly, how strong am I to move around when every step causes stone to crack underfoot?”

The last question caught Sarith’s attention and she swallowed before speaking. “What are you trying to say?”

Amdirlain sighed in frustration at the suddenly pale expression on Sarith’s face. “Liranë didn’t look to win through applying a technique to its utmost immediately. I assume because she didn’t want to risk killing me. Why should I insult her by doing something equally risky in return?”

Sarith frowned at Amdirlain’s words. “You were trying not to insult her?”

“As I said, applying brute force would have insulted her skill, but I’ll need to give her my apologies if that’s not how it’s perceived. I wanted to win by my ability, and that didn’t happen. The rules not allowing Liranë a break—to drink at least—beat her.”

[Diplomacy (18->19)]

Yeah, thanks, I guess. I hope I’ll get through to her. I didn’t expect to be upsetting kids simply by being here.

“Are you saying your race is so much better, since you clearly don’t sweat or need to drink as often?” asked Sarith, and the spark of attitude was a relief after her moment of fear.

“I never claimed that, and it isn’t true.”

Not wanting to push further, Amdirlain began eating but it was a few minutes before Sarith did the same. Amdirlain noted her crystal projected the fight’s beginning when she activated it again—a step up from viewing her arse kicked across the floor.

I need to learn psionics properly. I made this mistake with Mana Manipulation, spell lists, and other stagnated skills. Picking up things piecemeal isn’t giving me a proper grounding to be subtle or improve. The old saying—if the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

I need to admit that applies to rejecting diplomacy. Look what I’ve learnt!

[Perception [M](50)]

Okay, Mr Message—I think Isa’s name for you is funny, but your messages to me have gotten snarky.

Keeping her gaze fixed on the meal, Amdirlain didn’t react to Sarith’s glances or Master Tenzin’s bemused look. The rest of the meal passed with the others at the table, clearly holding in their questions. The morning’s physical training was quiet and Amdirlain tried to find more calmness among the repetition of forms. She was glad the day had actually provided a chance to recover from the mental efforts of the evening.

“Amdirlain, would you take time to show us some of your forms?” Zenya asked immediately after practice ended.

“At some point, but not now,” stated Amdirlain. “You need to bathe before lunch.”

The upset look Zenya gave her was a complete put on and Amdirlain bit back her laughter. “Soon?”

“I’ll show you some on the next rest day, but you look like you fell in a pool,” replied Amdirlain, and sniffed the air.

“Can’t you show me some now?” persisted Zenya, still having Amdirlain fixed with a wide-eyed pleading look.

Amdirlain just motioned her towards the door and couldn’t resist teasing. “One with dirty water from the smell of you.”

“Know the rest of us sweat, unlike you,” grumbled Zenya in return. “Are you going to bathe as well?”

“I refreshen my clothing when needed with Chaos Shaping—that’s sufficient” Amdirlain replied and Zenya nodded before she headed inside. Unhurried steps delivered her to the refectory and stopping behind her chair, she slowly put herself through more of Elliyna’s mental exercises, reliving the traumas to lessen them through familiarity.

Gemiya looked amused upon her arrival alone, taking in Amdirlain still standing. “Know you can sit down.”

“It doesn’t make much difference to me,” replied Amdirlain and sat in time with Gemiya. “Bathed fast, it seems.”

Gemiya gave her a slight smile and glanced at the door before speaking. “Can I ask you some questions?”

“You can ask, but I won’t promise an answer.” cautioned Amdirlain.

“Do you need to eat or drink?” asked Gemiya quickly, her attention split between Amdirlain and the door. “Know that I found a book on Elves in the library but there is no mention of their diet.”

“No, I don’t need to do either, but I enjoy food, and I’m told a stable routine is important,” replied Amdirlain. “Is every meal the same vegetarian stew with mushrooms?”

“Know every meal has been similar. Did you know two girls already decided it wasn’t for them before you arrived—after only a few days?” asked Gemiya, and at her huff of disbelief, Amdirlain restrained a smile. “Is not needing food or drink common among Elves?”

Amdirlain’s smile slipped free even as she considered how to answer. “I’m not an Elf Gemiya. However, you’re not the only one that’s assumed that. I will say that I don’t plan to speak about my species, and I hope you’ll respect my preference for privacy on that topic. Though I’m happy to speak about a lot of other things.”

Gemiya perked up at her words, and another question spilled out. “What is the scariest thing you’ve fought?”

Farhad doesn’t really count as a fight. It was more a test of character and he held back so much; Liranë went full on.

“Since fighting differs from seeing, I’d say Liranë. I thought she was going to beat me a few times,” said Amdirlain.

“Scariest thing you’ve seen?”

“Pass.”

Gemiya frowned in confusion and immediately chirped up. “What pass? Know that I’ve never seen a pass before. I couldn’t imagine them to be that scary.”

“Not a location. Pass is just a shorthand expression to say I’ll pass on answering that question,” explained Amdirlain.

“Know that’s not fair, it’s a simple question,” objected Gemiya, crossing her arms atop the table.

“It’s a lot more complex than you’d expect. Scary because of how weak I was when I ran into them. I ran into things that for a bunch of different reasons I’ve found scary,” replied Amdirlain, and raised a hand to stop her objections. “None of which I’m getting into because most of them involve Demons, undead, or horrific things, along with a unique Slaadi I didn’t want to mess with either.”

Gemiya asked another question, but frowned and changed it mid-sentence when she heard the same footsteps Amdirlain had already noted. “Have- you travelled to any planets on the Material Plane?”

“I’ve spent time on three, and all had distinct problems. However, reality being stable on them was reassuring compared to Limbo’s constant flux,” replied Amdirlain. A stream of Novices entered the room herded in by Master Tenzin’s arrival. Some nodded cheerfully—or from politeness—but the majority seemed to ignore her presence despite the recordings they stayed glued to over lunch.

Their arrival in the psionics class found Master Duurth already present, and a couple of rectangular boxes rested on a table next to him. His haggard complexion and bloodshot eyes drew a surprised reaction from all the Novices.

Following the others, Amdirlain had barely caught sight of him before Zenya had already taken in his state. “Are you alright, Master Duurth?”

“Know I’ll have recovered by tomorrow, Novice Zenya,” replied Duurth. The boxes wafted through the air without warning, and one landed in front of Amdirlain and Lezekus. Duurth nodded to the box sitting before Lezekus before he continued speaking. “Know that you will both attempt a separate exercise while I take the rest of the class through attempting to unlock their psionics fully.”

Amdirlain opened the box’s lid without prompting and found the palm-width stone surface lifted smoothly upwards from a recessed lip. Inside the forearm length box, she found hundreds of variously sized glass spheres.

“Know that you will use telekinesis on them individually, not as a whole. Know your exercise is to lift and hold aloft as many as possible while keeping strict control over them,” explained Duurth. “Do I need to point out they are fragile and will shatter if mishandled?”

His question prompted Amdirlain to inspect them properly and she found they were more like tiny blown glass ornaments. “Is there a penalty if we drop them?”

“Why would you suggest that, Novice Amdirlain?” Duurth enquired, his voice elevated slightly in surprise.

“Otherwise, you could have shaped them out of anything.”

“Know they are fragile to ensure you don’t hold them aloft with erratic pressure. Why might that be?” asked Duurth and motioned to Lezekus.

The girl considered the question before she hesitantly replied. “Is it so we establish a proper contact sense through Telekinesis?”.

“Know that is correct; it can provide the same pressure sensitivity as physical touch. Know that pushing yourself to hold as many as possible aloft helps to establish that mental habit. Does anyone care to share why they think we use spheres?”

Sarith raised her hands along with the others, and Duurth gave her a look that made it clear he remembered her attitude. “Novice Sarith?”

“Is it because they’d likely roll about unless you’re grasping them when they rise?”

“Know that is also correct; grasp them, don’t lift them via any visualisation of platforms,” replied Duurth and this time gave Sarith a pleased nod. “Know that we’ll be going through the contemplation exercises begun with Master Tenzin, to focus on one ability’s sensation. Know this time as you contemplate its flow, I’ll assist you in tracing its source to the spark within your mind.”

Amdirlain lifted the first glass ball into the air, trying to get a feel for the delicate material, only for it to shatter immediately.

“Know you need to be gentle, but if you break them all, I’ll make more,” said Duurth, his mental presence guiding the girls about her in their contemplations.

By the time the session ended, most had unlocked the Psion Class, Amdirlain’s efforts had resulted in shattered glass, and Lezekus frequently had managed to hold four or five aloft.