AbyssalRoadTrip
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Abyssal Road Trip - 290 - The setup
🕑 Added 2023-05-18 02:57:53 +0000 UTCAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Xaos
Once the four of them had picked suites within one of the residential buildings, Amdirlain worked out adjustments. With one song, she added furnishings, enchanted bathrooms, incorporated luxurious amenities, and created an extensive library. The array of elements distributed the force sufficiently to keep it under control.
“What’s the rental fee?” asked Alfarr, smiling at Yngvarr’s slack-jawed expression while she considered the packed shelves.
“It’s all part of the teacher’s package, though I have an immediate favour to ask,” advised Amdirlain. “There is an albino Mousekin named Malnir, and I promised I’d find a Wizard to teach him. Spellcasting in various forms is one thing, but I don’t know enough about potions, inscriptions, or other aspects of the Wizard Class.”
“Sarah didn’t mention a Mousekin other than a seamstress. How far along are his lessons?” enquired Yngvarr.
“Trill is Malnir’s mother. I’ve only helped him gain the Air and Water affinities and taught a pair of cantrips for each,” clarified Amdirlain. “He was hoping to get an apprenticeship, but I didn’t think that was fair since I didn’t know all the skills he would need.”
Yngvarr delicately coughed into a hand. “Amdirlain, I know more than a few wizards whose only interest is in spells. Considering you laid waste to a demonic army with one ritual circle, I’m pretty sure most of those would give up their right arm and an eye to match that feat.”
“That might be true for them, but he wants to learn everything, and I didn’t feel I would be the right teacher,” explained Amdirlain. “He’s got a bright mind.”
“I’ll speak with him, and if I think we’ll get along I’ll teach him,” promised Yngvarr. “I’ll have time to teach him properly instead of the rushed lessons I gave you.”
Amdirlain gave an understanding nod. “He was going to come down here after the lesson for the garrison.”
“I’ll watch the lesson, and if he shows up early, I’ll take him aside so we can chat,” said Yngvarr, and she took another look at the library’s shelves. “You know you’ve made it very hard for me to focus on anything else; there are more than a few texts in here I’ve never read. Where did you get them all?”
“Ebusuku went shopping, and I’ll admit I’ve not read even a fraction of them,” said Amdirlain ruefully, and she motioned down the shelves. “These are recreations of the library still on Culerzic.”
“Are you going to take time to broaden your knowledge?” asked Yngvarr, waving along the packed shelves. “There might be information in these that can make your work easier.”
“It’s all on magic. My highest priorities aren’t things I’ll find in these books,” countered Amdirlain.
“What else do you have going on at present?”
Amdirlain thought for a moment and ticked her list off on her fingers. “Torm and the other fallen, I need to get them to a point they’ll care to seek redemption. There is an invader species I want to stop from taking over more worlds from other species. Helping Sage to clean up undead and restore life to over a hundred worlds that Orcus has been consuming. Setting up this academy is about training mortals in magic and exploring my Ki powers.”
The list had the four of them glancing between themselves, and Aggie spoke up first. “Yngvarr, Pitnari, and I can all help with training wizards. We’ve all progressed in the Monk Class if you want assistants for teaching unarmed combat.”
“Some of Livia and Cyrus’ teachings helped me, but Farhad provided the insights I needed for a breakthrough in Immortal Spirit,” noted Alfarr. “Not that you need that one, but I mean that different people’s perspectives can provide useful insights.”
“Speaking of Cyrus, he’s approaching the outer courtyard with some students,” observed Amdirlain.
“Ten initial students. With us, Cyrus and yourself, we have six teachers,” observed Aggie.
Yngvarr wrinkled her nose. “I’m going to avoid sparring for a bit, so how about you divide the students between the five of you? Amdirlain, would you contact Malnir and ask if he can come down earlier?”
Briefly focusing on Malnir’s song, Amdirlain detected he was awake and dispatched a Message.
“I’ve told Malnir. The soldiers aren’t up to unarmed sparring yet, but I understand your point,” acknowledged Amdirlain. “I’ll handle the lessons for Enrig and Callen; they’re very different in mindset and I’ve seen them spur each other on. Yngvarr, would you manage the general theory lessons?”
“Of course,” Yngvarr agreed readily, and a smile danced on her lips.
Alfarr gave an amused snort. “Please don’t torture her like that. Yngvarr will have to scour all the books here to ensure she has the best information.”
“It’s a hardship, but one I’ll shoulder with a heavy heart,” Yngvarr sighed dramatically, and she clasped her hands before her chest.
“You’re a bad influence, Amdirlain,” Pitnari noted. “Either that or your teasing is contagious.”
“It’s not teasing,” corrected Yngvarr. “It’s just having a bit of light-hearted fun. After all the headaches Gail stirred up while getting the Andúnë to pull their heads out of their arses, educating and studying will be a nice change of pace.”
“You’re one of those Andúnë,” observed Alfarr.
“I know, but Sarah arranged my extraction with a minor operation compared to others,” huffed Yngvarr, and she gave him a mischievous smile. “I’d been living with your corrupting influence long enough for other viewpoints to rub off. Should I teach the magic side to your two students since we don’t want them corrupted with your Sorcerer Class magic?”
When Alfarr rolled his eyes, Yngvarr tweaked his beard in exchange.
Suppressing a snort, Amdirlain headed towards the front courtyard with the others in tow.
When they arrived, they found Cyrus had started the soldiers off with the basic Ki cycling. Sensing they already had their energy moving, Amdirlain smiled at Cyrus.
Cyrus exchanged bows with the others before he focused on Amdirlain. “You’ve something in mind?”
“What gave me away?” asked Amdirlain.
“You always seem happier when you’ve got a course of action rather than struggling for a way forward,” explained Cyrus.
“I’ll tell you about the progress with the trio later. Yngvarr suggested we split the training group into five. You, Alfarr, Aggie, Pitnari, and I will teach them Monk powers and skills. Yngvarr can handle the practical magic training for Alfarr and the general Wizard theory.”
“That would allow them to progress faster, and then we can get them to help teach others,” agreed Cyrus. “Having someone else train the general Wizard theory would be good, as that frees up time for me to train you, which is my priority for this endeavour.”
“Yeah, this started by seeking a means to help me train others in Ki cycling,”
“No, we needed a way for me to teach you. We could have hired individuals or even charged them for medical treatment. Instead, we’re taking a path you chose that allows others to find enlightenment,” advised Cyrus. “Cycling someone’s Ki for them would have helped them boost their health. Now you’re spending time away from your projects to teach others.”
“Yeah, that’s true,” acknowledged Amdirlain. “But I couldn’t do something simply to benefit myself.”
Cyrus huffed in amusement. “Adding years of vigorous health to someone’s life isn’t enough of a benefit?”
“This way they have more of a chance to survive those years,” said Amdirlain. Another group approaching the courtyard’s entryway had Amdirlain pause
Cyrus turned to follow her gaze. “Bedevere brought everyone else normally in the training hall down here.”
“Yes, and it sounds like Malnir has caught a lift with someone,” advised Amdirlain.
Yngvarr chuckled. “I’ll look for the Mousekin out of uniform then.”
As the soldiers trooped in, the first six split off and started up the tower’s stairs. The last soldier to enter the courtyard was a large male Lizardfolk with Malnir perched on one shoulder and Killi on the other. When he halted and crouched, they both quickly alighted. The tawny-furred Mousekin patted Malnir before he moved down the line to join other mousekins descending from various soldiers’ shoulders. Malnir looked at the others uncertainly and hopped over to stand close to the courtyard’s wall. Yngvarr excused herself and headed over to sit on the ground beside him.
Among the ninety-odd soldiers organising themselves in the courtyard, Bedevere left his junior officer conducting equipment checks and moved over to them. He considered the long corridors when he reached the top of the steps. “Am, the Commander wants to meet with you in the next few days if you can spare them the time. What is your preference for such a meeting?”
“I’m open to coming to see them, or they can come to my suite at the Blazing Portal. Which would work best?”
“The Commander infrequently leaves the keep, if you wouldn’t take offence at being invited there,” advised Bedevere.
Amdirlain gave a relaxed shrug. “That works for me.”
Cyrus stroked his chin and gave Amdirlain an enigmatic smile. “They’re an interesting individual.”
Amdirlain raised an eyebrow at Cyrus and turned to Bedevere. “Are they on duty if I drop by after this lesson?”
“The Commander doesn’t sleep like most Mortal species,” advised Bedevere. “I’ll let them know you’ll come to meet them.”
Keeping her curiosity in check, Amdirlain nodded politely and motioned towards the stairs. “Thank you. Have you tried my tower yet, Bedevere?”
[Femme Fatale [S] (11->12)
Note: Going to ask him if he wants to see your etchings or offer to polish his bronze?]
Gideon! You are so saving up for a spanking some days.
Catching the replay of her motion from Bedevere’s mind, Amdirlain almost cursed. The grace of her movement and the mention of his fighting in the tower had Bedevere considering her deadliness, which had triggered a predatory warning. The Skill had picked up Bedevere’s subconscious cues and used them.
Who knew that fight or flight for Fey was more like fight or fuck? Was I exciting him during the other training sessions?
Bedevere barely choked out a tsk. “I didn’t get as far as I expected. It wasn’t the individual fights but the size of the levels and the continual combat that wore me down. Did you make this yourself, or is it an artefact you found somewhere?”
“I made it,” replied Amdirlain coolly, and she caught the slightest nervous twitch of Bedevere’s eyelids. “I’ve been trying to improve my capability for creation. I’ll leave you to get your soldiers organised.”
Moving away, she gave Enrig and Callen a tap on the shoulder and beckoned them to follow. The veiled looks of suspicion they sent each other wasn’t the first she’d seen between them. That they’d exchanged this one when they thought she’d turned her back made it amusing—kids blaming each other for mum towing them away. Amdirlain ignored it and led them into another courtyard, one she’d ringed with the first set of wooden training constructs.
Moving to stand near a construct, Amdirlain turned to face them. “You’ve both taken Monk since the last lesson.”
“How-” started Enrig, only to fall silent at Amdirlain’s crooked smile.
Callen snorted at how Enrig chopped off and got a dose of hostile side-eye.
“You’re not the only ones, but since you two have a mutual dislike for each other, you get to work together,” stated Amdirlain.
“Is there a particular need for us to dislike each other to study?” asked Callen.
“If you can’t focus past the fact you’re working with someone you dislike, you’ll never gain enough focus to use Ki properly in combat,” replied Amdirlain. The partial truth mollified Callen, and Amdirlain set her palm against a construct’s chest.
“Ki is part of the body’s energy, so it wants to flow with your movements and, with the right focus, it will move along your limbs and add power to your strikes,” explained Amdirlain. “Today, you’ll begin learning a Power called Ki Strike. It will empower your blows so you can hit harder and even affect beings normally only harmed by magic. Watch while I demonstrate.”
As she sent Ki into her palm, Amdirlain flexed her wrist less than a millimetre in the barest whisper of a palm-hand strike. The energy drove through the construct, and it crumpled in on itself; a breath later, the self-repair enchantment pulled the material back together.
“You didn’t even move,” gasped Enrig.
Amdirlain held up her hand so they could see her palm when she flexed her wrist. “The slightest flex of my wrist; I wanted to make it clear it was the Ki doing the work and not my strength. The exercise for today is about getting the Ki to move from your solar plexus, or heart chakra, into your hand as you strike. Slowly draw back a strike, letting it flow into your elbow, then move forward to your palm to arrive as you make contact.”
At the pace of the drifting mist exercises she’d conducted at the monastery, Amdirlain let her arm drift back. Mindful of them observing her technique, she let her palm drift forward to touch the construct. Her skin’s touch smacked the construct into the wall behind it and scattered pieces away in a spray.
“Step forward and check your distance; ensure your palm just touches the construct. Later you’ll be able to tap into it without this having it consciously moving in advance. However, for now, start the Ki moving around the chakras you feel most comfortable with and we’ll begin.”
The pair followed her instructions, and Amdirlain listened to the Ki stirring within them. It took nearly two hours filled with regular breaks before Callen managed a touch against the construct that contained more than just physical force. His success spurred Enrig to try harder, but attempting to force the Ki to flow hampered his efforts, and his frustration grew when Callen succeeded for a second time.
“Take a break, sit under the awning and cycle the Ki between two chakras, heart and throat or heart and solar plexus,” instructed Amdirlain.
“I’m close,” insisted Enrig.
Callen snorted. “No one wants to hear that.”
Enrig’s whiskers flared back along his muzzle, and his tail thumped against the ground as a low hiss rumbled in the back of his throat.
“There is a saying: the strength of a chain is determined by its weakest link. Do you have that one?”
Enrig and Callen both froze. Amdirlain smiled as Polyglot found a meaning for them both.
“Oh, both of you recognise it? The Monk Class focuses on overcoming physical limits and striving for self-perfection. I hope you’ll see it as an opportunity to improve yourselves, not aggravate another’s flaws, or your own,” offered Amdirlain. “Callen, what did you sense when you succeeded?”
“My arms were getting tired from the strikes, and I could hear my pulse in my ears and felt the Ki echo along my arm in time with it,” replied Callen.
“Does that make sense to you, Enrig?”
Enrig let out a grumble. “Because the Elf-”
“You don’t have to like each other, but you’ll both be my students, so I’m going to make things a little exciting with a competition between you,” interrupted Amdirlain.
“I’ll win,” declared Enrig.
“You don’t know the terms of the competition,” critiqued Callen.
Enrig crossed his arms and gave Callen a toothy grin. “It doesn’t matter the terms—I’ll still win.”
“The one that learns the most from the other in the next year wins a prize,” advised Amdirlain, but she kept the rest of her intentions to herself.
Enrig’s grin vanished. “I’m not sure any prize could be worth enduring Callen.”
Rolling his eyes, Callen pointed in the tower’s direction. “Am made this place, Enrig. Stop and think before jumping in with both feet.”
“A mind needs to be open before it can absorb any lesson, but that applies to both of you,” Amdirlain chided, and both froze again. “Rest the fingers of one hand against the opposite wrist and find your pulse.”
When they both had their fingers on their pulse, Amdirlain continued.
“That is your blood moving from your heart down your limb before it loops back. Moving the Ki along your limbs isn’t unnatural—minuscule amounts exist in your blood, muscles, and organs. With your focus on your pulse, start moving your Ki, and with each beat, imagine it is getting closer to your wrist.”
Without the limb’s movement to prompt them, they both returned to struggling to move the Ki. After an hour, Amdirlain wrapped up the lesson early and sent them on their way with instructions to practice until they could feel the Ki under their fingertips with every pulse.
Teleporting to the upper slope of town’s main road, Amdirlain approached the guards at the keep’s portcullis. Among those on duty at its entrance, many could be mistaken for humans, but their themes varied in incompatible ways from those she’d met at Gail’s party. Checking them with Analysis, she found they were from a half-dozen species who, despite their outward appearances, none were Human. Amdirlain had to wonder how many of those species had been about the first time she travelled to Limbo and she’d thought humans had been among Xaos’ populace.
A broad-faced guard looked her over while she waited in line. Her arrival put her third behind a pack-line of camel-like creatures covered with iridescent scales and a trio of notably squat dwarves loaded with gadget packs bigger than her.
Frowning, the guard walked down the line to address her. “Are you the one called Am?”
“That’s me. Captain Bedevere sent word ahead a few hours ago to the Commander that I’d be coming to meet with him,” replied Amdirlain.
“We were told to expect you, but you don’t need to go through this gate,” explained the guard, and he motioned towards a ramp along the left side of the keep. “The Commander’s chamber is on the outer ring of the keep. Go along that path until you reach the door at the end; his offices are on the crest of the hill that way.”
“I went through the Portal this way once, and there are offices in the interior. I assumed the Commander would be there,” explained Amdirlain.
“That would be the trade and inspection station, along with the duty Captain’s office,” advised the guard with a lime-hued grin.
Following his directions, Amdirlain left the queue and took the ramp below the lowest arrow slit. The path he’d directed her to was level with the base of the keep’s outer wall. Around the path’s curve, she found a quarter of a massive sphere wedged between the keep’s wall and the hill’s turf.
Though it matched the grey colouration of the stonework, the material was hardened calcium and more rigid than steel. The organic mass made for an interesting song, along with the dozen Mortal entities within the partial dome’s protections. While the internal chambers had significant Mana invested in protection wards, none were containment focused.
The entry was an organic-looking door along the sphere’s surface that, to Amdirlain, resembled a heart valve. When the guard at the entrance caused it to unfurl, beyond it she found a corridor that followed the sphere’s curve until it opened into a round chamber at the centre.
It’s like a snail’s shell.
The being in the chamber’s centre looked like a sea anemone grown to six metres across its central disc. Its cylindrical body was a patchwork of black and white that swam in the air some twenty centimetres off the ground. Atop the cylinder was a purple segmented disc with deep orange tentacles up to three metres long growing around a central mouth. Its theme stirred memories of a world wholly enveloped in water, and Amdirlain could see the extensive Mana expenditure allowing it to move and thrive here.
The oddest aspect of its presence wasn’t the being itself but the tasselled, metre-wide ring of royal purple satin tastefully embroidered with seashell patterns around the being’s base.
Trill mentioned measuring the Commander for a dress.
Besides the prominent individual, a few dozen smaller versions of the being adhered themselves at various heights to the chamber’s wall; though none exceeded a half metre in total body size. Their tentacles brushed across runic patterns, and Amdirlain could hear each recording their impression of her presence within the room’s air currents.
“Commander, you wished to see me?”
“We did, and thank you for coming by so promptly. Your presence in the town has caused some interesting events. The town’s patrons have questions they’ve requested we seek the answer to,” replied the Commander, its voice coming from the central mouths of all the room’s anemones at once.
Amdirlain nodded. “I’ll listen, but I reserve the right to answer.”
“Understandable. First, do you wish to take over the guardianship of Limbo’s Portal?”
“No, I don’t. Though I’m happy to help the defenders keep Limbo’s denizens from spreading,” replied Amdirlain.
“That is unfortunate,” responded the Commander. “Though that removes dozens of questions they requested us to ask.”
“Why did your patrons believe I’d be looking to take it over?”
The tentacles waved lazily about, and Amdirlain got the impression of a shrug. “Not believed, perhaps, though given the questions about alliance opportunities, we think at least one hoped it was your intent.”
“Alliances wouldn’t be impossible, but I’d need to speak to their representatives directly and determine the scope. I intended to seek out a few nature deities to discuss an issue elsewhere with,” replied Amdirlain.
“You told Captain Bedevere that the garrison, your students, and, we take it, your friends could use your tower. Would you allow the patron’s servants from other stations to utilise it?”
I need to get my powers and skills higher before I seek too much of an experience surge.
“Does that mean garrisons guarding paths to the lower planes?”
“We believe that to be the case,” acknowledged the Commander.
“The current tower is an experiment. Once I’ve fine-tuned it, I’d be open to creating more for other garrisons to use in their training. That would be subject to getting a suitable agreement on similar terms to our agreement, and I’d need information on where they’d be located before I agree to any specific spots.”
“That is good news; we’ll let them know. Do you have an expected time scale for fine-tuning the tower?”
Amdirlain shrugged. “It’s too early to say, but hopefully not over a century.”
“That soon!” exclaimed the Commander, and they tapped tentacles together to a quick beat.
“Hopefully,” cautioned Amdirlain. “I’ll keep you apprised if that expectation changes.”
A couple of tentacles drew lazy circles in the air, and the Commander hummed. “We’ll inform them it’s a possibility and to expect confirmation in a century—otherwise, some will think us both hasty. Among our patrons are those that have an issue understanding time frames under a millennium, and we’re obligated to provide the same reports to them all. Whether or not they pay attention is another thing.”
“I’m surprised they even registered my presence,” remarked Amdirlain.
“Indeed, we hadn’t even submitted the standard reports about significant changes when the request came from Mielikki’s local custodians,” replied the Commander.
The mention of the deity’s name brought a presence that brushed against Amdirlain’s mind— millions of leaves rustling on a gentle breeze. With a metallic ping, a cleanly snapped golden arrow appeared on the chamber’s floor.
[Item: Arrow of Artemis (broken)
Details: The breaking of this arrow and the missed shot caused Artemis to abandon a hunting expedition. Left behind, Mielikki claimed the arrow and ensured it continued to contain a sliver of the might from Artemis’ former mantle. ]
What could I use that for? I’ve got more than a few foes I need to hunt, but this was involved in a failed hunt.
“I thought Mielikki to be part of the Summer Court?” asked Amdirlain as she regarded the arrow cautiously.
Despite its dramatic arrival and the divine energy within, the Commander didn’t register or react to it at all. Hoping she wasn’t making a mistake, Amdirlain stored it in Inventory and almost groaned at the heft of it.
[Inventory [Ad] (39->40) ]
With the only reaction being an increase in Inventory’s capacity, Amdirlain returned her focus to the Commander.
“Mielikki’s Domain is on the heavenly planes, but the Outlands possess vast swaths of forest. Many nature deities are part of the alliance maintaining the Outlands’ garrisons at the major Planar routes,” advised the Commander. “Regardless of whether their Domain is in the Outlands, the higher planes, or the Elemental Plane of Earth, they wish to maintain its environments.”
“Did Mielikki say why she thought I’d want to control Xaos?”
“Divine beings seldom give explanations for their reasoning. We’re told sometimes they merely ask questions to ensure others think about what they truly want.”
“What else can I help you with, Commander?”
“Most of my questions are regarding the Wizard training of the garrison’s members and how far you plan to push them,” explained the Commander.
“I’ll not push any of them. How far they take their training is up to them,” replied Amdirlain. ”Do you have concerns?”
“Not in regards to the training, though I’ll certainly need to find the budget to pay some for their increased levels and capabilities,” explained the Commander. “I also expect your tower to require an increase in the equipment maintenance budget.”
“That’s part of the fine-tuning I was expecting to be needed. I’ll add to the regeneration effect and restore some of the equipment wear and tear,” observed Amdirlain. “Would they be happy with consumable items instead of higher pay?”
“Potions and inscriptions?” enquired the Commander, and they hummed at Amdirlain’s nod. “What do you get from this arrangement?”
“The Outlands is a special place for many reasons, and I’d also hate for it to be despoiled.”
The Commander’s tentacles coiled inwards briefly as if protecting its central mouth. “The garrison has hundreds of soldiers.”
“Soldiers often appreciate those concerned with their well-being. Do you believe items of healing or temporary protection would be better received?”
“Such a contribution is most unexpected,” reiterated the Commander.
“I doubt it will be in the next few months, but I’ll see to delivering chests with various useful potions,” stated Amdirlain
“It is not an immediate issue; they’ll need to make a lot more progress to warrant a pay rise,” reassured the Commander. “How many wizards do you believe you can train at once?”
“That’s also something it will take time to determine. Let’s see how we train the first set; if we get enough proficient wizards among the garrison, they can help train others,” explained Amdirlain.
“Would you be able to ensure their training includes detection magics?” requested the Commander. “That would be more useful day to day than combat magic.”
“What do you need them checking for?”
The pair spoke of the guard’s needs, logistics, training options, and required resources for a time before Amdirlain headed off to her suite. Once there, she heard Nomein and Ras in the living room. The investigation of Artemis’ arrow would have to wait and, not wanting to keep it in Inventory, Amdirlain opened a Gate to a niche in the Demi-Plane Foundry. Releasing Artemis’ broken arrow through the opening into the hiding place, Amdirlain closed it and headed up the stairs to find how things had been going.
Comments
Gopard
Thanks for the chapter!
Inzuris
Thanks for the chapter!
Alexander Colton
Brilliant chapter, thank you.
