Amdirlain’s PoV - Outlands
Though Amdirlain was pretty sure what would happen, she opened a Gate to Qil Tris and faced a nighttime scene. The view was of a snow-covered hillside with weather-worn boulders and trees covered in long, needle-like leaves. Though she could hear the landscape’s music, the threshold didn’t allow her to cross.
Amdirlain wondered if the Titan’s world construction was often based on Earth-type norms or if evolution caused it. If not for the array of life she’d seen in The Exchange, the small samplings of worlds she’d seen so far would steer her to believe the former.
The music beyond the barrier was crisp and sharp, with the cold themes dominating the landscape. Amdirlain was concerned about the pervading cold and its impact on Goxashru''s metabolism. While the world’s details had shown Qil Tris overall to be a colder place than Goxashru’s homeworld, seeing the mass of snow close up had driven it home.
“That is going to be a problem if I need some days or weeks to track everything down,” murmured Amdirlain, and she let the Gate close. “Foes to the left and foes to the right, yet I’d prefer to be teaching.”
Her concern split between tracking down Eldritch beings on the loose and keeping the ones already contained from busting free. Finishing the review of chambers she’d been checking, Amdirlain sent an update to Livia about the primarily Catfolk world of Qil Tris. When she didn’t hear back, she shifted to the first location whose prisoner would have broken free within a few centuries. The alcove she appeared in was the furthest spot from the prisoner, yet still, the Eldritch energies tried to warp her form.
Having scanned the chamber before, the single figure within it wasn’t a surprise, but its nearly humanoid figure was still repulsive. Its maggot-white skin heaved as the limbs strained against the manacles and boots attached to the cracked crystal frame that held it mid-air. The headless form’s well-defined muscularity was twisted and subtly off. Instead of a head atop the shoulders of the body, fern-like fronds set atop waved about, tasting the air. Curled nodules along their lengths flexed in irregular patterns, and waves of distorted energy came off them. The purple energy was a wave of static in True Sight and Resonance, and it licked the walls before bouncing back to be absorbed by the entity’s skin.
As Amdirlain began to sing, the being’s attention focused towards her. Two of the lowest fronds beat a pattern against its collarbones, and long barbed tongues extended from the figure’s palms. The entity thrashed harder, its defined muscularity bulged and heaved in its struggles against the restraints. Its body arched like a tightly drawn bowstring and then relaxed, the body splitting apart as it did. The cables under its skin that she’d thought defined muscles slithered through bloodless seams and lashed outwards. Blows rained against the wall near Amdirlain, but only a single attacking tendril had enough reach to strike into her alcove.
Precognition and Danger Sense had chimed at the being''s suddenly relaxing posture. Hyped by their warning, the attack that launched towards her came as if in slow motion; Amdirlain activated Ki State even as she slid aside. Continuing with the repairs, Amdirlain danced before the efforts of the solo tendril that remained the only one to threaten her location.
Amdirlain attacked with a melody while keeping most of her attention on fixing the damaged crystal. Though the dual efforts of the Primordial flames and continuing the repairs strained her throat, she persisted in the work. Set ablaze, the burning tendrils beat a panicked tempo against the floor to snuff out the flames. When she’d nearly charred them back to the entity’s body, Amdirlain released the fire and returned solely to the repairs. The blackened ends withdrew through the seams, leaving the formerly muscular form emaciated.
Amdirlain worked relentlessly through the list until she fully repaired the last crystal. Even with some containing multiple prisoners, she finished the repairs in a day. Planar Shift returned her to the Outlands and, away from the Eldritch energies, Amdirlain checked the last notification.
[Resistance: Eldritch [I](42->43)
Protean [S] (69->81)
True Song Genesis [M] (7->19)
Mental Hardening [G] (1->2)
Pain Eater [S] (109->130)]
Upon reverting to her Wood Elf form, Amdirlain found the previous tension considerably eased. Mental Hardening allowed Amdirlain to feel the conflict between the self-image from her Soul that she’d tapped to avoid the Eldritch distortion and her preferences. While she still hadn’t resolved it, awareness at least lessened the influence on Protean, which had been the source of her discomfort.
“Livia, I’ll return to the suite in a few hours. I’ve got some better news and a logistical problem to discuss. I may have to stay for an extended period on a colder world, with the primary species being Catfolk. Though there are also about two percent Dwarf and Orc variants among the populace,” Amdirlain stated, and she released the Message Spell.
With a slow breath, Amdirlain took out the lap harp to work through the memories it brought to the surface. As she copied the exercises, it brought forth Orhêthurin’s bittersweet feelings. Drawing on Mental Hardening, she felt the changes within the Skill chipping away at the strength of regrets in the background as she worked. When she wrapped up the session, remembering the hours Gail had put into her harp practice, Amdirlain had to snort.
Is it more my attributes influencing my progress, or Orhêthurin’s memories?
[Lap Harp [B] (16->17)]
Tucking the harp away, Amdirlain confirmed her concealments were in place, and she started for Xaos. Teleport put her on the forest edge, and she saw only a few farmers moving slowly among the fields, weeding. Passing through the wards, Amdirlain took in the uncluttered road and compared it to the focused air within those training in Nolmar. After the pressure of the Eldritch energies, the town’s laid-back atmosphere brought a sigh of relief from Amdirlain.
She teleported to the suite’s garden and paused in consideration. Listening, she found Cyrus discussing Ki techniques with Alfarr in the living room. From what she gathered, Ki Infusion''s ability to work with Mana affinities wasn’t playing nicely with Alfarr’s sorcery. Rather than interrupt them, Amdirlain perched on a bench in the gazebo’s shade. Having already retrieved the low-orbit surveyors above Qil Tris, Amdirlain adjusted their songs before placing them into a higher orbit. With that task completed, she settled down to wait for Livia’s arrival.
When Livia showed up with Goxashru and Rana in tow, she seemed braced for an argument. As Livia approached the gazebo, her defensive posture faded, and she frowned in concern. “Móeir, it’s good to see you’re intact. Though ?you’re looking physically worn down.”
Rana nodded. “You look better than last I spoke to you, Amdirlain, but Livia’s right; it’s still noticeable. There is a tension around your eyes and the set of your shoulders.”
“Some of Gideon’s challenges were harder than I had expected,” replied Amdirlain, and she beckoned them to join her in the garden’s airy gazebo.
“You mentioned good news. Does it relate to the efforts you’ve undertaken?” enquired Livia.
Unsure what to say, Amdirlain stuck to the briefest of facts. “What’s important is the outcome. The Titan is purifying Torm’s Soul, but Torm will need time to settle after that’s completed. I’ve got no information on where or what species he’ll be when he reincarnates.”
“No longer Celestial, but he’s not a Fallen; that’s an improvement, so there is hope to be had,” Livia pointed out, and she continued with a brightening mood. “You said you had a logistical challenge?”
“I’ll need to figure out an issue with a world being influenced by beings outside the realm. The world has an advanced civilisation but no Pantheon whose servants could help fight them back,” explained Amdirlain.
“What do these beings want, and how do they even get in?” asked Livia.
As she considered how to explain the Eldritch beings, Amdirlain hummed thoughtfully. “The one I fought seemed to want to consume a planet’s life force and allow others of its kind into the realm. I have little information about how they get in, but some use the minds of insane mortals as a bridge.”
“That’s hardly promising,” muttered Livia.
“Eldritch beings, their energies twist reality around them; it pushed Protean and Mental Hardening to keep me from crumpling in their presence. That caused the strain you’re seeing,” advised Amdirlain.
Livia winced. “How did those helping you fare?”
“Mars helped me destroy one that had gained access to a world. He grumbled that he’d had to draw on his Mantle too much to benefit,” advised Amdirlain. “Nothing else I handled has needed anyone’s help.”
“You said the Eldritch beings were imprisoned in fracturing True Song Crystal. How can you repair it unaided?” enquired Livia.
“I’ve gained an evolution of the Power that is outside the list of what Roher is aware of,” advised Amdirlain. “Without it, I’d still be singing to repair the first chamber, but I’ve completed all the prisoners on the list.”
Livia gave a low whistle. “Is that what Gail meant about your voice being loud?”
“Please don’t mention it to Gail or any of the Lóm?. I’m still trying to determine how or if they can gain it. Orhêthurin’s status with the Titan gave me access to evolved base classes and Power options.”
“A reward for her former status? She was the only one that didn’t abandon their role, wasn’t she?” queried Livia.
Orhêthurin ripped up their ability to get better Power evolutions in True Song at that point.
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Aware she’d lead Livia into an assumption didn’t stop Amdirlain from nodding. “From my fragments of memory, them ceasing work for the Titan was the tipping point. However, other things are at play. I’m far from regaining all the knowledge or strength I need. Let’s talk about things we can do.”
“I’ll come with you,” Livia offered and laughed at the surprised look from Amdirlain. “A Shapeshift Spell will easily give me the appearance of a Catfolk, and I’ve never visited a new world with living beings.”
“I think that would be a bad idea,” protested Amdirlain.
Livia’s frown of dissatisfaction spoke volumes. “Why?”
“From reading between the lines of what Gideon said: they had a war between religions, and then the secular forces stamped out the worship of every god. I don’t know how they did it. Religious persecution normally drives worshippers underground,” advised Amdirlain.
“Maybe they looked for the holy symbols as you did with Set’s followers,” proposed Livia.
“That’s possible. I can’t be the first person to have that idea. Or maybe they developed a Spell to determine those with significant faith or something else,” countered Amdirlain.
Livia clicked her tongue thoughtfully. “You need a Mortal to summon you and stay on the world while you investigate. How about Goxashru accompanies me, and we summon you and Rana? We’ll camp somewhere away from the cities and train while you investigate?”
“Why Rana as well?”
“He’s been training Goxashru,” stated Livia matter-of-factly. “Or are you planning to disrupt his training while you search?”
Rana got in before Amdirlain could protest. “I’m happy to come along to train Goxashru.”
“How many more options did I give you time to plan?” laughed Amdirlain.
“A few. Is this one doable, or do you see a problem?” asked Livia.
Amdirlain took in the hopeful air from Goxashru and regarded him directly. “What are your thoughts, Goxashru?”
“I’m a poor Talon for you at present, Elder. Given the words spoken by the Elder kin, I’m not sure why Bahamut considered me worthy to serve you. Whatever I can do to serve your goals is a small price for the honour,” replied Goxashru.
“There are some locations that should be a comfortable temperature even without the armour I gave you,” stated Amdirlain.
The tip of Goxashru’s tail started tapping the ground, and Amdirlain resisted the urge to comment.
“I’ll make sure they are safe,” reassured Rana. “Or at least watch over them while they sleep. Livia can likely outfight me.”
“I’d best upgrade your equipment before we head off,” offered Amdirlain. “And I’ll construct some defences once we pick a spot.”
Livia smiled. “You could let us challenge ourselves against the local wildlife.”
Amdirlain shrugged. “Of which we know nothing about, but I’ll put the defences under your control. The question is, when can you be ready to go?”
Livia paused in thought. “Can you give me a week to transition my students?”
“Do we have enough teachers?” enquired Amdirlain.
“My Lady sent a contingent of celestials and Fey wizards to assist,” said Rana.
“How are they finding Xaos?”
“Xaos itself isn’t an issue. They’re still familiarising themselves with mortals, so Yngvarr has them teaching one-on-one,” offered Rana.
“I appreciate such help as they can provide,” offered Amdirlain, and she caught that she’d automatically avoided saying thank you to a Fey. “A week of lighter duties would likely do me good. With my progress, I might be acceptable on the harp by then.”
Goxashru’s attention perked up, and his tail tapping turned into a quick swishing. “You have found the gift useful?”
“It brings up some bittersweet memories, but overall, playing it is relaxing,” advised Amdirlain. “They’re memories I hadn’t previously recalled from my past life, and they offer useful insights.”
“Not going to give us a demonstration?” questioned Livia with a wry smile.
“Maybe after I hit Master rank in my Skill with it,” laughed Amdirlain.
Livia joined in the laughter. “Perfectionist.”
“Guilty.”
Lifting an eyebrow, Livia fixed her with a critical look and leaned in to hug her. “No, you’re not.”
“Everyone is guilty of some misjudgements in life,” said Amdirlain as she gently returned the hug. “Now you don’t have to figure out how to kill three demon lords.”
“Cyrus will be disappointed; maybe we’ll go through with our plans regardless,” huffed Livia.
* * * * *
Amdirlain spent three days resting and singing to restore or adjust plant life on multiple worlds before she went near Nolmar. Though Gideon’s work list wasn’t needed for Torm, Amdirlain found her efforts stirring valuable memories. During each activity, she pushed herself to fine-tune the control she’d gained through the Eldritch opposition.
Sitting in one courtyard that was bordered by looming trees, Amdirlain enjoyed the feel of the cool shade. Nearby, Malnir focused on a Zephyr Spell cutting loops through the central space. He frantically wiggled his fingers whenever it threatened to slip out of his control. The twitch of his whiskers sped up whenever it slipped free of his control and sprayed apart the leaves he’d been carefully herding into piles.
When the practice grew more routine, Amdirlain settled her harp in her lap and started to play in time to the hurried music of the spinning air. The jumping notes elicited by her light touch had Malnir’s ears flicking her way, but he still focused on the Spell. When the magic’s duration at last elapsed, Malnir sighed in relief and skipped Amdirlain’s way threading between the piles.
“Sifu Am, I’ve not seen you for a while,” said Malnir as he sat nearby, his posture straight and shoulders back.
Amdirlain smiled at the solemn dignity she could see him copying from Yngvarr; her amusement brightened her tone. “I was busy sealing terrors away.”
“Oh? How scary are they? Would they win a competition for the scariest story?” questioned Malnir. Abandoning his controlled posture, he leaned forward, his whiskers twitching. “Not that you have to tell me a tale; I was more trying to start a polite conversation than expecting entertainment.”
“Has Yngvarr been teaching you Diplomacy amid the magic?” questioned Amdirlain, not correcting his assumption that she hadn’t told the truth.
“Your library doesn’t have a lot of basic magical texts, so Sifu Yngvarr is filling out lessons while she organises getting enough,” informed Malnir.
“It has some, doesn’t it?” questioned Amdirlain.
“But not enough copies to share among all the wizards in training,” advised Malnir sadly.
Creating scores of memory crystals, Amdirlain loaded each one with her perfect recollection of the introductory texts she’d studied. “If you have Yngvarr check these, she can tell me if other books need to be added.”
Malnir carefully put them in his belt pouch and studied one intently with a half-lidded gaze. “It has the books I’m waiting to read in it.”
Wiggling on the spot, Malnir seemed split between talking to her and diving into his reading. Forcing himself to sit still, Malnir carefully put the last crystal into a pouch around his neck instead of at his waist with the others.
His solemn attempt to be patient widened Amdirlain’s smile. “You can read it if you want.”
“That would be ill-mannered,” sighed Malnir. “Have you been playing the harp long, Sifu Am?”
Amdirlain stroked the harp’s frame and considered its glistening energy strings. “I’m trying to refresh myself on how to play it.”
“You sound better than some bards I’ve heard playing at the inns,” informed Malnir.
“I’m only in the Journeyman rank for the Skill at present, but I’m progressing fast,” offered Amdirlain. “Perhaps those bards were simply playing styles of music you didn’t like, but they might have been to the patrons’ tastes.”
“Maybe. Some Lizardfolk enjoy music that hurts my ears,” advised Malnir mournfully, his ears tight across his head.
“How are you finding the Water and Air affinities?” enquired Amdirlain.
His eyes lifting, Malnir sat up straight. “They are very different even in the basic spells I’ve learnt. Water wants to spread out, while Air spells want to keep going in the last direction. Will you teach me more?”
“If I’m not around when Yngvarr says you’re ready to progress, Aggie has a knack for it,” replied Amdirlain.
“Okay,” sighed Malnir.
“I’ll let you in on a secret,” said Amdirlain.
Malnir’s whiskers tweaked, and an eager gleam showed in his eyes. “What?”
Amdirlain winked and lowered her voice to barely a whisper. “It’s possible to cast Spell lists intended for other Mana affinities.”
“How?” gasped Malnir excitedly.
“Consider it that an Affinity allows you to add a particular dye to Mana, but it doesn’t change the Mana itself,” advised Amdirlain.
“So it’s more that the colour might make someone look ugly than the garment not fitting,” offered Malni.
“That’s certainly one way to look at it,” agreed Amdirlain. “Though you’ll need to get it working in your visualisation of the Spell.”
“Oh!”
“Your crystal, please,” said Amdirlain, holding her hand.
Malnir scrambled to get his crystal back out of the pouch and plopped it on her palm. After adding the Fire Law Spell List to the crystal, Amdirlain returned it with a wink.
“The effects will vary, but sometimes in a good way. Either Fire Dart or Fire Bolt with Air Mana delivers differing strength punches that, if aimed right, can knock someone out instead of setting them on fire.”
Malnir’s eyes widened, and his ears stood upright, quivering with tension.
“Good speaking to you, Malnir; enjoy your studies.”
Looking between the crystal and Amdirlain, Malnir finally squeaked, “Bye, Sifu.”
As he scampered away, Amdirlain called softly after him. “Just don’t tell Yngvarr I told you.”
“I won’t!” promised Malnir, his whiskers energetically twitching.
Only two days later, Amdirlain spotted Malnir smacking Air Dart spells into a target construct. The repurposed Fire Law cantrip wasn’t causing Malnir any trouble as he filled the mental construct with Mana and set it loose. While Malnir’s aim still needed a little work, he’d overcome the mental block of affinities that had hampered Yngvarr.
Malnir saw her and gave a wave. “Sifu Yngvarr only had two other books to add to those crystals..”
“I hope she didn’t spot the extra content in your crystal,” whispered Amdirlain.
“I’ve got the physical copies of the books she put into them,” replied Malnir softly. “I told her I find reading books more grounding than seeing the images in my mind.”
“What sort of response did that net you?”
Malnir smiled. “She said it’s best to be used to both, as the resources sometimes aren’t available in a state we’re used to using. Sifu Yngvarr said she’d once studied a Spell List etched into a stone wall. This isn’t a secret that will get me in trouble with her, right?”
“Now that you’ve got it working, why don’t we see if Yngvarr has time to watch your demonstration,” proposed Amdirlain.
“I’d feel better about it; I don’t enjoy keeping secrets from her,” admitted Malnir.
Amdirlain sent a Message to Yngvarr asking her to spare them time in the practice courtyard Malnir was using. When Yngvarr turned up, she fixed Amdirlain with a suspicious look. “I wondered who had Malnir acting shifty.”
Malnir squeaked in alarm but settled down at Amdirlain’s ready laugher.
“Malnir, would you please demonstrate the Air Dart Spell you were casting?” requested Amdirlain.
Peering up at Yngvarr, he gave her a shy smile.
Listening to his public thoughts, Amdirlain shared Malnir’s setup of the Spell Form with Yngvarr. Instead of a breeze filling the formation, Malnir imagined the energy as a Mousekin slipping through a complicated pattern in a burrow’s passages.
As it raced through the tunnels, it took on the metaphysical air pressure rubbing through its fur and surged forward to strike the target once Malnir completed the Spell.
“Mana as a living being,” murmured Yngvarr. “Not sure you’d be able to do the same with water.”
“Tunnels flood, and you have to push the water out,” offered Malnir. “Sifu Am says that Affinity is an aspect the Mana takes on, like a garment or someone being wet when they hop from a pool.”
“Can’t hurt to experiment and find out what works best for you,” offered Amdirlain.
“Not giving up hope on me?” questioned Yngvarr.
“I’ll get you casting spells with different affinities to the Spell List one day,” laughed Amdirlain.
Yngvarr snorted. “Just having my apprentice show me up in the meantime.”
“Different people find different things motivating,” Amdirlain teased.
“Like your list,” quipped Yngvarr.
“It almost had people hunting demon lords,” sighed Amdirlain, and she caught Malnir’s bug-eyed gaze.
“What do you mean, almost?” retorted Yngvarr. “Cyrus is still planning it with Livia.”
“Well, I’ll leave your apprentice to teach you how to cast spells with the wrong Mana type,” said Amdirlain and placing the harp away, she rose. “I’m going to hassle Enrig and Callen for their next lesson instead of always leaving them in Cyrus’ care.”