Amdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Xaos
As Klipyl disappeared into the tower, Livia joined Amdirlain and Solveiga.
“Móðir,” said Livia, and Amdirlain immediately wrapped her up in a carefully restrained hug.
“How is everyone?” asked Amdirlain.
Livia glanced at the soldier who’d interjected earlier after Klipyl’s comment, and he had the good sense to look shamefaced. “Let’s talk about it at...
2023-06-07 03:50:39 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Xaos
The memory crystals provided by the surveyors sat in orderly rows along the suite’s dining table. Methodically checking each, Amdirlain combined the gathered information she needed into one crystal. Organising data was an old habit, even if her perfect memory now made this task potentially unnecessary. Having seen the consequences of missing seemingly insignificant items, however,...
2023-06-03 13:26:51 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Xaos
Upon her return to Xaos, Amdirlain found Cyrus meditating calmly in the entry hall while a group of soldiers recovered in the courtyard. At a glance, it was obvious their injuries were the outcome of sparring with Cyrus rather than daring the tower. Dejected expressions and injuries suggested a story of humbled egos.
“Helping them find enlightenment?” enquired Amdirlain light...
2023-05-31 12:19:38 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Xaos
The sound of chalk on a slate board signalled Malnir’s location, and Amdirlain found him atop a writing desk in the library, working on Draconic runes. Towering over Malnir, the slate board he was writing on was positioned on a stand atop the table and nearly filled with tightly packed runes. There was clear progress from the first of the columns, with the wavy or broken lines within...
2023-05-27 22:52:24 +0000 UTC View PostThe others eventually show up, doing an excellent impersonation of drowned rats. With eight of us in the house, there is only one option about where to talk comfortably. After setting a force barrier above the courtyard, I dry the rain-slick ground.
“Did anyone want lunch before this question-and-answer session that Nanoĸ’s asked for?” I ask, taking a spot near the still-steaming wood pile.
Ipy settles onto the ground across...
2023-05-25 23:06:13 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Xaos
Upon arriving outside Xaos, Amdirlain detected Goxashru’s presence within Nolmar’s walls. Having expected him to be gone for weeks, Amdirlain hoped his premature return signalled a successful trip. As she started forward, the grey-furred Ratkin she’d first greeted in the fields outside of town rounded the closest house with a group of other workers.
Though she’d scrubbed ...
2023-05-24 05:51:18 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Xaos
When Amdirlain entered the suite, she found Nomein and Ras looking over a collection of items on the dining table. Most were gold coins of assorted sizes and mundane artwork, but there were also a few objects with faded enchantments.
“Looting and pillaging going well?” asked Amdirlain.
Nomein snorted. “Acquisition and undead purging, thank you! It’s been fine for co...
2023-05-20 14:05:05 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’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 Y...
2023-05-18 02:57:53 +0000 UTC View PostThe crew’s map is a stone plate whose enchantment has it take on the likeness of the landscape for the surrounding two kilometres. Across the map, a range of clay markers indicates the positions of watch posts, twelve crawlers, and mining equipment.
“Might I extend your map to show the elementals?”
“Artificer?” mutters Delwar.
Holding out a cupped hand, a cube of soft light appears above my palm, carefully kept at t...
2023-05-15 22:26:29 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Xaos
After Malnir scrambled up her arm and settled himself, Amdirlain proceeded steadily towards the burrow, ready to catch him at any moment. Her caution was unnecessary—he’d spent the entire trip effortlessly crouched on her shoulder. His tail draped across the back of her neck, and a hand rested atop her head with a child’s innocent familiarity. His flurry of observations was only ...
2023-05-13 15:08:09 +0000 UTC View Post
In combat mode, having assumed her general Anar form, with some extras.
The first time I've commissioned any art. The artist was really easy to work with and I'm pleased with how it turned out.
I hope folks like it. Given how many forms she can and has taken on, it was hard to pick one to commission first.
2023-05-12 12:03:44 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Xaos
The tower initially proved a little distracting to her students, but they settled down after Amdirlain admonished them to focus. The four-hour training session with Enrig and the others had just wrapped up when Cyrus stepped out of a glowing doorway in the courtyard. The ten soldiers bowed to him before they headed on their way.
“Did you get lost?” asked Amdirlain.
“Y...
2023-05-11 03:07:49 +0000 UTC View PostAfter checking on Ellother, it's a simple Spell that draws her from Sanctuary, storage bag filled with my share of goods from the Annex. Irene returns wearing a lightly enchanted chainmail hauberk instead of the Grecian breastplate and bracers that I’d expected. The large round shield emblazoned with Hestia’s symbol and gladius at least matches my expectations.
Settling the edge of her shield against the ground, Irene eyes the still-...
2023-05-08 15:54:34 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Xaos
As Goxashru strode beside Amdirlain, he didn’t stop looking over the local inhabitants. While they mostly paid him little attention, a few of the Mousekin kept well clear, and a female Lizardfolk almost preened when his gaze lingered on her.
When they entered the inn, Fanya was adjusting a ledger’s entries at the counter while Wisp stacked blocks into a Jenga tower.
“...
2023-05-06 23:44:25 +0000 UTC View PostThe discussion with Litthor quickly turns to the history of the original development of the region's power structure. Covering the highlights of the Andúnë expansion and which family successfully expanded where. The tendency for many of the Andúnë to first go into who reports to who and their historical rights is worrying. I’m sure they see it as essential that the blame or credit go to the right person. Are more faction power plays fed ...
2023-05-03 22:11:48 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Xaos
After introducing Cyrus to Wisp, Amdirlain discovered the inn listed eight as the suite’s full occupancy. With Cyrus issued a ward stone, Amdirlain returned to the rooftop and wandered through the garden, checking the plants’ health. When she finally settled on a bench, Amdirlain closed her eyes and enjoyed the sunlight washing over her skin.
The pleasant warmth contrasted wi...
2023-05-02 08:48:28 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Xaos
When Cyrus returned by himself to the training hall, he waited patiently until Amdirlain turned her attention to him.
“Captain Bedevere is going to talk to the garrison’s commander about my location preferences,” explained Cyrus. “Though Bedevere doesn’t think the commander will agree to a spot towards the hill’s peak.”
“Did you want to wait for the training...
2023-04-29 21:46:07 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Foundry Demi-Plane
The Ki caught in the pavilion’s crystal provided plenty of illumination, and Amdirlain and Cyrus cast long shadows across the platform’s brown granite.
“When you said you’d set up a place to practise, this wasn’t what I was picturing,” remarked Cyrus. Landing on the platform, he tapped his foot against the stone. “How strong are these?”
“Granite, but ev...
2023-04-27 11:09:13 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands
Amdirlain walked around the dome covering the plinth and studied the alcoves along the wall. The crystal barrier muffled the songs of the divine death memories, but walking so close to them felt strange, and she carefully kept Resonance clear of their screams. “Did you carve all of these?”
“Not all,” admitted the Eldest. “My fallen brethren liked to work stone. They carved the...
2023-04-24 09:23:55 +0000 UTC View PostThe terrain beneath my flight path oscillates between plains, swamps, and marshland. After the cliff outside the village, the most significant change in landscape is how deep the swamp water gets. I catch signs of the Lizardfolk hunting in the long grasses of the marshlands, whereas the Goblin tribes avoid them, sticking to the plains and wooded swamps. Though the far east coast is over a hundred kilometres away, skip teleporting means it does...
2023-04-22 13:16:41 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands
After Snorri vanished, Amdirlain tracked the link’s shifting sensation between planes, and Týr nodded after a brief wait.
“I’ll monitor from within the prison,” advised Amdirlain.
“Might we join you?” asked Týr.
Amdirlain shrugged. “The cell’s interiors have some decoration to prevent boredom, but the rest is just dull stone.”
“I’m sure we can h...
2023-04-20 21:34:08 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Xaos
When the ladies turned indecisive about what eatery to try, Amdirlain left them to sort out a post-training meal and returned to the suite. As she sat opposite Rasha in the library, he gave an ear twitch towards the front door.
“Have they gone back to Cemna without me?”
“No, they trained with the local guards and are now getting lunch,” explained Amdirlain. “While...
2023-04-17 23:13:57 +0000 UTC View PostStepping through the Beastland’s Annex doorway set us in an open sunlit grassland adjoining a woodland. With the threshold’s music no longer obscuring the annex’s energy, it’s far easier to read. Though it’s very close to the Beastland’s symphony, there are enough differences clear while standing in it that the doorway isn’t a direct connection. However, the place is vast, and Resonance doesn’t give me a clue how far out its bo...
2023-04-15 16:42:08 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Xaos
Despite having told Rasha to contact her upon their return, Amdirlain beat them back to the suite. The front door clicked shut while Amdirlain was soaking in the bath, singing old melodies that the mauling of a song had bubbled up.
“It seems there is no need to let you know we’ve returned,” observed Rasha as he let the front door close.
Amdirlain had noticed their app...
2023-04-13 09:36:25 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Xaos
Amdirlain had made it past the market square when she spotted Trill. The mouse had a tiny wagon in tow, loaded with a box twice her size, and a folding scaffolding perched atop.
“Hello Trill, off to tend the stall?”
Trill released a surprised squeak and snapped her head back to look up at Amdirlain. “Oh, the Chaos Shaper. Hello—Am, wasn’t it?”
“Yes,” a...
2023-04-10 23:17:32 +0000 UTC View PostWith the clear view through the window, I spot Irene handing over the tonic to Myrrine, and she catches Tasenka’s arm before she can head off with Myrrine. To outward appearances, Irene is chatting casually with Tasenka until Myrrine is out of earshot; it’s only then that tight notes join Tasenka’s song. When Tasenka goes pale and puts a hand over her mouth, it’s clear her condition wasn’t an attempt to catch the adventurer into marr...
2023-04-08 16:44:47 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands
Amdirlain didn’t hear any Message, but when Týr moved to sit with his back propped against a nearby tree, she closed the Gate.
“What did you want to talk about?” asked Amdirlain before she perched on a branch jutting out at waist height.
“My neighbour seems fascinated with you; any idea why?”
“If you are talking about the Platinum Dragon who offered you a real e...
2023-04-06 05:20:44 +0000 UTC View PostUpon the heels of the scrying’s termination comes a rapid exchange of messages between Calaer and the Royal Secretary. Calaer keeps a bland expression even while his amusement grows, but he sputters when I create two amber tokens marked with their majesties’ crests. Tapping the table beside them, I show two fingers and store them with a wink. The next exchange he has includes a discussion of my seeing their majesties without an escort.
... 2023-04-04 01:45:04 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Xaos
Amdirlain introduced Rasha simply with the shortened Ras that Gail had bestowed on him when she was a child. Nomein took his appearance in stride, but the others at times looked at him curiously while Amdirlain finished her tale about the Maze.
“Amdirlain requested a guide, but what type of challenges do you seek?” asked Rasha.
Gemiya gave the barest shoulder twitch. ...
2023-04-01 13:38:18 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Xaos
Amdirlain had barely started to relax in the bath when a combination of ideas made her sit upright so fast, she sent water sloshing over the bath’s edge. Cursing the time spent sparring with the trio, she dispatched a Message. Designs around the orbital scanning of infected planets and purification units bubbled through her mind.
“Erwarth, how are things progressing? I think ...
2023-03-29 20:15:56 +0000 UTC View Post