AbyssalRoadTrip
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Abyssal Road Trip - 164 - Changes
🕑 Added 2022-02-11 14:48:56 +0000 UTCSuccubus Patrol - Culerzic - Cliffs of Lust
A sudden shift of energy mid-way up the cliff disrupts her entertainment, watching newly spawned Dretch tear into others. Adjusting her course higher, she watches the manifestation break apart to reveal a strange-looking demoness. Her lush figure, black lips, and ivory white skin match the Succubus’ own ripe form, yet the lines of horns forming an odd tiara along her hairline are unlike anything she’d seen in her thousand-odd years. Wings repeatedly ripple from the usual spiked shape for a Culerzic Succubus into dozens of writhing ribbons and chains, prompting her to slow cautiously.
For all the extra time it gained her to leave, the stranger is heedless of her approach, despite being within Lord Moloch’s territory. She has a blank, uncomprehending look instead of concern at the Cat O’ Nine Tails marking her authority.
“Who are you?”
The stranger’s whisper is barely audible above the screams of the damned, and it ignites rage within her.
The patrolling succubus sped up, snarling at the stranger. “You are in Lord Moloch’s territory! Who are you? What right do you have to be here?”
Wings changed into ribbons that intercepted a lash of the whip, and she found herself catapulted into the wall. Snarling in pain, she tried to drop the whip and Teleport away only to find the ribbons that had caught it now wrapped around her arm. The stranger disappeared into a mass of malformed flesh that moved behind her and reformed instantly. Black claws pierce her shoulders, and the following impact shattered her face against the stone with impossible force.
“I can’t remember my name,” the stranger screams, grinding her into the rock-face. “let’s see if I can find myself one in your flesh.”
Bits of flesh fall away as the stranger’s hands become rendering maws. Other patrols with orders to secure newly spawned Succubi take one look and stay well away, leaving their fellow to her horrible fate.
Amdirlain’s PoV - Limbo - Monastery of Will’s Hand
Master Jarithä returned and knelt quietly next to her before the session drew to a close. The mixture of Telepathy experience levels involved meant was taking far longer to teach some Affinities than the swift understanding of Master Duurth. The gathering’s most advanced wizards left with solemn dignity but not before bowing with a depth usually only given a Master to the strange Novice in their midst.
“Order wasn’t on the list of Affinities requested, but I instructed the last group in it, Master Jarithä,” Amdirlain said after quiet had settled over the courtyard again.
Jarithä gave her a half-smile before nodding minutely. “Know I thought it best not to presume. Know that gaining such an affinity would normally require much compensation to the instructor.”
“I mentioned to Master Duurth that the only Affinities that I’m reluctant to teach are the two directly associated with the lower planes,” said Amdirlain. “
“Know there is a difference between being willing to teach and me presuming to request them without discussing compensation in return,” Jarithä countered. “Know I was extremely reluctant to request your assistance with even Tier Three Affinities, but others suggested you would not be vague in letting me know if I overstepped.”
“I’m more in the monastery’s debt than the other way around, Master Jarithä,” argued Amdirlain.
Turning to face her directly, Master Jarithä just waved her argument away. “Know that the best agreements are when both parties believe they benefit the most. Know that I consider the matter with the delegate weighs gravely against the monastery’s side.”
“Do you think they’ll cause more trouble, Master Jarithä?”
“Know it is not a matter of if, but when,” informed Jarithä.
“I hope I’m not the source of other problems.”
He frowned at her words but didn’t answer immediately. When he broke the stretching silence, his tone held obvious concern. “Know you have already disregarded my reassurances from before the challenge. Would you take the blame for others’ insecurities or their quest for control? Know that politics is forever the source of much trouble, regardless of who it catches in its net. Know this wasn’t close to the most disruptive incident in the decade since the Grand Master gained his position.”
Amdirlain almost opened her mouth to ask what was going on but changed the topic instead. “I didn’t share the sense of the Ki with anyone else. What are your thoughts on Nomein’s situation?”
“Know Novices normally may not instruct Novice Amdirlain, but it seems we’ve already broken that custom with yourself,”
Amdirlain immediately spotted his choice of wording. “Custom, not law?”
“Why would such an obvious situation need any official ruling?” enquired Jarithä, giving her a smug look. “Is it not obvious Novices are here to learn, not teach? Know that Nomein can feel Ki energy in herself, and it’s quite different from one’s psi reserves in its sensation, like water instead of lightning.”
“It starts that way, but after practise circulating the energy, a mist will continually drift from the waters, re-enforcing flesh,” replied Amdirlain. “I have some treatises written in Celestial about it and practicing the various powers it allows. I’m still working on understanding all its contents, so I’ll have to make a copy.”
“And these powers allow you to make use of Mana controlled with Ki?”
Giving a brisk nod, Amdirlain tried to provide a quick overview. “Not all are about controlling Mana. Ki alone can empower strikes to hit through defences and incorporeal foes or provide the means to heal both yourself and others. Those that include Mana start out controlling raw energy and then Mana tuned to the practitioner’s preference of Affinity. Later, the ability to hold spells at the ready, to be released upon contact.”
The last ability caused Jarithä’s eyebrows to climb high, and his expression turned decisive. “Know Novice Nomein will continue to learn the Zerthi forms. However, would you be open to teaching her the use of these powers and any related skills she would need to learn?”
“I’m sure we can find some time to practice together,” replied Amdirlain with a smirk. “After all, Novices help each other practice.”
Mirth shone in Jarithä’s gaze, but he gave her a dignified nod. “Know that I stand corrected, Novice Amdirlain.”
“Might I ask one question, Master Jarithä?”
“Know that I believe you are might ask many Novice Amdirlain,” Jarithä teased dryly.
“With some Novices now having Affinities, will there be schedule changes?”
“Know the extent is still to be determined. Know my current plan is to add classes in spells and Mana Manipulation after the evening meal in place of their duties. Why did you ask?”
“I need to learn ritual magic. It’s an area my training has lacked, but I’ll require it, I believe. I’d also like to learn more about natural portals and gateways, as I’ve encountered at least one where destabilising was required,” replied Amdirlain. The thought of tearing apart some of the Abyss’ natural gates to disrupt their treaties and conflicts momentarily amused her.
“Know that rituals require a calm mind and are an advanced subject of study. Know your healing will require considerable progress before I consider allowing you to take part in that subject’s lessons.”
“I understand. I’ll speak to Nomein after the meal about effective meditation to use,”
“Know I’ll ensure Master Elliyna knows you’ll be delayed in that case,” Jarithä said before he rose and left after they exchanged bows.
Any hope of being left to meditate alone was dashed a half-hour later. Master Tenzin appeared in the study building’s doorway and motioned her over.
“Master Tenzin?” Amdirlain asked when she got close.
“Did you forget I said Novices aren’t to use the courtyard unsupervised?”
“No, Master Tenzin, I didn’t,” admitted Amdirlain ruefully.
“Know that since that is the case you will join Novice Sarith in scrubbing the study hall’s ground floor corridor before dinner,” stated Tenzin. “Know since the current lesson is almost over, you can start now.”
“Might I ask a question, Master Tenzin?”
Tenzin motioned Amdirlain to speak.
“Since Chaos Shaping could keep this place spotless, why do you have Novice doing chores?”
“Know that everything in life that is worth having requires proper care, be it places, objects, or relationships. Know also that while Chaos Shaping could keep it clean, I would ask a question of my own. Why should any Anarch serve as a drudge to Novices?” asked Tenzin and gestured inside the study building. “Know Novice Sarith has begun at the far end and has the cleaning materials. Know that I require you to scrub the floor beside her.”
“Are you looking to inflict more punishment on her, Master Tenzin?”
“Why do you see your presence as a punishment, Novice Amdirlain? Know the floor isn’t getting any cleaner.”
Amdirlain moved quickly through the entryway and past the staircase that led towards the upper floors at her reproving tone. Sarith had positioned herself in the middle of the corridor scrubbing from side to side, her motions practically attacking the floor with the brush’s stiff bristles. Rather than immediately drawing her attention, Amdirlain moved silently down the corridor, listening to a muttered string of expletives. Sarith practically jumped when she picked up a brush floating in the battered wooden and metal bucket beside her.
Teeth bared, Sarith glared at Amdirlain before she growled. “What is it?”
“Which side did you want to scrub?”
“Know this is my punishment,” snapped Sarith.
“I’ve instructions to scrub next to you, so which side do you want to handle?”
Sarith moved to the right-hand side and added more energy to her already vigorous motions. They’d worked on without a word between them, but every time Sarith reached for the bucket, she fixed Amdirlain with a heated glare.
“Why are you even here?”
Though it genuinely tempted her to treat it as a rhetorical question or just ignore it completely, Amdirlain focused on cleaning before she spoke. “The same question applies to you, too.”
Sarith’s grip on the bucket’s edge went tight, and the metal handle rasped against the wood as if she wanted to throw it down the hallway. “Know that I have a right to be here.”
“Not what I meant, so I’ll be clearer. Are you here to learn and train, or be angry at me? Things in life trip you up; that’s a constant. We can’t choose what life throws at us, but we can choose how we react. What do you want to spend your time on?”
“Know that you, your platitudes, nor advice are welcome here.”
“So be it,” replied Amdirlain, not having paused in scrubbing the floor.
The moment Sarith rose and shifted stances, Amdirlain looked directly at her, and Sarith instantly froze. “Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.”
Sarith wet her lips before she whispered. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
It took a moment to contain her sigh, and Amdirlain made sure her Charisma was restrained before she spoke again. “It can translate several ways, but don’t seek retribution against someone in a way that’s going to harm yourself. I think that’s the most common meaning behind it.”
“Did I not just tell you your platitudes aren’t welcome?” asked Sarith nervously.
“Know that if you leave, Master Tenzin will probably add an extra punishment. If you kicked over the bucket the way you had your foot, you’d have hurt yourself and then have extra punishment on top. I imagine scrubbing more floors with sore toes would be unpleasant.”
Sarith lowered her foot gingerly and shifted back a step. “Why are you even warning me?”
Ignoring her question, Amdirlain simply continued, “If you’re going to kick the bucket, at least curl your toes back properly, so your impact is against your foot’s underside. That way, your kick will carry the most force, and you won’t break or injure your toes. Then again, it’s a wooden bucket with a metal handle, so if you hit it wrong, you’ll hurt yourself. Is a temper fit the proper conduct for a Monk?”
“Know I hate that you’re here, and I hate you.” snarled Sarith.
“There are lots of things I hate in life, but you aren’t one of them, Novice Sarith. Now, do you think that Master Tenzin won’t notice you leaving?” asked Amdirlain before she gave her a polite nod and returned to the chore at hand.
She hadn’t progress ten centimetres before Sarith spoke again, the words containing the tense that knotted her brow.
“Know I will never like you, Novice Amdirlain,” growled Sarith.
“That doesn’t surprise me, Novice Sarith. I’m more surprised when people do like me. Do you hate me more because your sister came to the Affinity lesson or because you didn’t?”
Snatching up her brush Sarith knelt and resumed attacking the floor. They’d progressed nearly along the front of one of six rooms that opened onto the corridor in silence when Sarith’s words hissed out in a low distressed tone. “Know she’ll not be in my classes now because of whatever you did.”
It tempted Amdirlain to share Master Jarithä’s information but asked a question instead. “Has anything ever separated you long?”
Her mouth twisted into angry lines as Sarith glared at the floor as if she wanted to set it on fire. “Know we do—did—everything together now we won’t be training together.”
“Who told you that?”
“Know you’ve not met our language instructor, Master Harkal. Know he said the ones that went with you had a lesson on Mana theory because of gaining an affinity,” complained Sarith.
“You and Gemiya are twins; nothing can ever take that from you. Whose idea was it to join this monastery?”
“What difference does it make?” grumbled Sarith and re-focused on her scrubbing.
The remains of their duty assignment passed in a silence that Amdirlain finally broke after Sarith emptied the bucket into a drain.
“Master Jarithä said current plans are an extra lesson in place of after-dinner duty assignments. Still, you have four choices I can see: embrace walking your journey; stay angry with her and me; ask, and I’ll help you gain Air Affinity as well; or whatever options you can come up with yourself.”
“Know that I prefer it when you don’t talk to me. Know that our father graduated from this monastery, and it was Gemiya’s preference.”
Sarith’s sullen look challenged Amdirlain to make something of her statement. Not lowering herself to take the bait, Amdirlain nodded. Smiling at Sarith, she cleaned her clothing with Chaos Shaping and headed for the refectory.
When the Novices appeared for the evening meal, Sarith’s scowl was still present. It remained in place but didn’t stop the other chatting excitedly about their Mana class until Sarith made the mistake of glaring directly at Gemiya.
Gemiya returned the glare with a displeased look and set her spoon down calmly. “Know you need to stop being a yan Sarith. Haven’t I told you before that expression makes you look severely bound?”
Zenya held back a laugh, but the others went utterly expressionless. Without waiting for Sarith’s response, Gemiya went straight back to the sentence she’d interrupted. When the duty table had collected the bowls, Master Tenzin cleared her throat, and everyone fell instantly silent.
“Know that except for Novices Amdirlain and Nomein, you are all to attend your duties now. Know we will announce a schedule change tomorrow,” announced Tenzin at the meal’s conclusion. Once the others had left the room, she fixed Amdirlain with a stern look. “Know Master Jarithä has asked me to supervise in case any concerns are raised in this evening’s practice. How much space will you need?”
“Initially, any of the rooms will be fine, there is a movement Power, but we won’t get to that tonight,” Amdirlain replied quickly.
Tenzin nodded and gave Amdirlain a faint smile. “Know we will use a room in the study building then. Know that I hope none of us come to regret this course.”
Nomein glanced between them in apparent confusion. “What do you mean, Master Tenzin?”
Speaking up before Tenzin could reply, Amdirlain touched her shoulder reassuringly. “Sorry, Nomein, I thought Master Jarithä might have explained I shouldn’t have assumed. When I taught you Air Affinity today, you also picked up on the Ki energy I use. That was the pool of water-like energy you sensed inside yourself when Master Jarithä asked you to cooperate with his review. The Ki energy allows you to pursue the Monk Class I follow rather than the Githzerai style,”
“How did that happen?” asked Nomein wide
“I don’t know exactly. I briefly meditated on my Ki to calm myself before today’s teaching session. You’ve felt its energy previously when I healed you, so I can only assume that brief exposure allowed you to understand it while I was teaching Air. We’ll practice the abilities of my style together, and-”
Nomein went right to the point despite her wording, her face glowing with excitement. “Does that mean you’re going to be teaching me!? When do we start?”
“Technically, we’re going to be practicing together in case anyone asks. By custom, Novices don’t teach anyone. We are going to be starting now. Let’s go to the study hall, shall we?”
Master Tenzin escorted them to the room, and Nomein’s initial excitement started to give way to jitters. “What if I get something wrong?”
“Relax, Nomein. We’re just going to start on meditation and getting the Ki energy to move through your body. Various abilities require you to call on your Ki instantly. Imagine the energy flowing through you instead of just pooling within you,” Amdirlain said. When she felt Nomein settled into a calmer state, she projected a mental guide on coaxing the Ki to move.
Mentally listening as Nomein worked through the exercise, Amdirlain tracked her dipping past the psi’s electricity and the accumulating Mana within her to bring up a droplet from her pool. Instead of drawing the Ki along her limbs, Nomein coaxed it beneath her solar plexus, and a mist suddenly traced vein-like patterns outwards towards her limbs.
“Ki likes the chakra as well?” asked Nomein mentally, though her attention staying focused on the Ki’s feel within Harmony that Amdirlain’s lesson had shared.
[Name: Nomein
Species: Githzerai
Class: Psion / Monk / Wizard
Level: 1 / 1 / 1
Health: 32
Defence: 15
Ki: 6
Magic: 21
Mana: 14
Psi: 14
Melee Attack Power: 12
Combat Skills: Dagger [Ap] (1), Telekinesis (8), Zerth [B] (1) - Affinity: Air, Innate Psion Powers
Details: Youngest daughter of a Githzerai merchant, her family lives in the Githzerai enclave in the City of Glass on the Elemental Plane of Water.
]
[Analysis [S](17->18)]
First time I’ve seen Psi and Ki values. I wonder if it’s because I felt her mind touch her power centres?
Amdirlain projected a question to Tenzin rather than disturb Nomein. “That’s an interesting reaction. Is that a technique for Psionic meditation?”
“Know running energy through the body’s chakras is a fundamental exercise, though this Ki reacts far differently,” Tenzin said and paused mentally, following the energy spreading through Nomein. “Know that we teach it to children to aid their recovery, but via the central chakra that Nomein is using. Do I need to explain why other chakras, especially one lower in the body, aren’t covered?”
“No, it’s alright. I know what sex is, as surprising as some individuals might find that.”
The mist cooled rapidly, but before it could finish the process, Nomein coaxed another droplet up and repeated the same exercise. This time, the mist extended further by a tiny but noticeable amount. The sense of the Ki pulsed again and joined with Harmony, an echo drew Amdirlain’s attention to a change in Tenzin’s Profile. She’d gained level one Monk besides the High Anarch and Ascetic Monk previously there.
“Master Tenzin, you’re showing a new Monk Class.”
“Novice Amdirlain, I shall discuss this with Master Jarithä,” Tenzin said.
“I can purge the Class if you don’t want it,” offered Amdirlain, not knowing what Tenzin had planned for her two classes.
Tenzin snapped her attention from Nomein and fixed her gaze on Amdirlain. “You can purge classes?”
“Yes, if the individual is willing. I’ve done that for a few individuals,” explained Amdirlain. “The person has to be willing. I can’t purge a Class if they disagree.”
“Know that Master Jarithä says your Ki abilities allow for spells to be held ready within it. Is this correct?”
The moment Amdirlain nodded, Master Tenzin smiled. “Know then I shall have to see what Prestige Class your Monk and Wizard provide when combined.”
“I have some information on that and can help you meet the requirements for a few powerful options,” Amdirlain offered. “I need to speak to Master Jarithä regarding Prestige classes, but I can provide you details on some Monk and Wizard combinations and how to gain them.”
“Know that I’d be very interested in hearing more, but we have Nomein’s practice, and you have a healing session to attend.”
“What is Ki, Amdirlain?’ asked Nomein, drawing their attention back from their private aside. “Know it feels like it’s continually changing as I coax it around.”
“Ki is spiritual life energy. It’s also related to a Mana Affinity that has a dual aspect, something that isn’t on Master Jarithä’s list.”
“Know you and I are on the same journey now, Novice Nomein. Know I glimpsed some interesting possibilities when I felt the Ki touch myself as well.”
Nomein’s beaming smile came through the mental link with a blazing burst of excitement.
“Know Novice Amdirlain that tomorrow, you will explain to me about what you’ve done to your Psi reserves. Know that what I can feel of your strength through this link it would seem you’ve crippled yourself at some point.”
“I’m here for healing-”
“Know this is something else I will explain when we talk. Know that you are in my care, and I will not let you move on without doing my utmost to resolve this issue, Novice Amdirlain.”
Within their private aside, Amdirlain felt the mental strength of Master Tenzin suddenly manifest like a storm cloud.
“Know I would have expected your mental strength to feel far closer to my own rather than your current pale presence.”
[Name: Tenzin
Species: Githzerai
Class: High Anarch / Ascetic Monk / Monk / Wizard
Levels: 70 / 44 / 1 / 1
Health: 9,339
Defence: 365
Ki: 3,180
Magic: 160
Mana: 804,720
Psi: 13,580,360
Melee Attack Power: 155
Combat Skills: Chaos Shaping [S] (23), Clairsentience [S] (12), Dagger [M] (5), Metacreativity [M] (89), Psychometabolism [S] (2), Psychoportation [S] (9), Telekinesis [S] (5), Zerth [M] (72) - Various Psi Techniques, Affinities: Tier 1, Ice, Light, Lightning, Nature, Positive, Various Spell Lists.
Details: A mild-mannered dormitory mistress by day, a psionic combat monster, ahh forget it—she’s always a psionic combat monster. When she says it’s lights out, those Novices better turn the darn things off.
]
“It seems whatever I did to myself isn’t an issue for you with Ki. Your beginning capacity for it reflects your existing progression in Meditation and Willpower,” replied Amdirlain and gave an amused smile at the burst of curiosity she felt from Tenzin.
