Amdirlain’s PoV - Culerzic

Sarah looked over the framework image hovering between them and zoomed in on the first tunnel approaching the far end of one plateau. “The tunnelling is speeding up, but you’ve got so many square kilometres to cover.”

“This latest round of diggers and constructs are more powerful and challenging to create; I’ll keep focused on those for a while,” said Amdirlain, taking in the creeping advance. “I think the tunnelling under Moloch’s palace can wait until last.”

“Is four years of building them not enough? What are you going to do with them afterwards?” asked Sarah. “It’s not like you can repurpose crystal that easily.”

“I’d like to get up over twenty thousand at least. The diggers can be used as siege weaponry for sapping castle walls—the strength of reinforcement they’ll put in the tunnels is controllable.”

“I missed that one. Who came up with that idea?” asked Sarah.

Amdirlain gave her a wry smile. “Ilya, she has all sorts of ideas about what can make tunnels collapse.”

Sarah’s lip momentarily curled, but she didn’t need the predatory edge. “Do you still want to get into the Sisterhood castles? Why not just blow the places up? Use the mistake with burning the corruption in the substrate.”

“Given Balnérith’s pride, how do you think I’ll most easily lure her to me?”

“The number of strongholds they have, there isn’t going to be a one-to-one connection to her home planes.”

Pulling a face, Amdirlain gave a noncommittal shrug. “I hope not, but I’m willing to bet on two things: one, each of her home planes will have at least one; two, destroying those on her home planes will get the biggest reaction-”

“and a personal response.” finished Sarah.

“Exactly. Plus, if I blow them up, I’ll lose any clues inside that might let me isolate her,” clarified Amdirlain. “And I’m preparing another surprise for her.”

“Do I want to ask?”

“Ebusuku said the Levithan’s blood restrains her grandmother. What if I can set her loose without getting into the chamber with the rest of the blood?” asked Amdirlain.

“‘Setting her loose’ is right,” muttered Sarah. “Do you remember she’s technically infernal? Why would you do that?”

“Erwarth told me that the irregulars can be up to a quarter of forces in a stronghold,” explained Amdirlain. “Not all of them but in the majority of them.”

“That might be another way to tell which strongholds are her home plane ones,” offered Sarah.

“Pride, I can’t possibly have irregulars defending my key homes,” said Amdirlain, and she shook her head. “I take that back; it could be paranoia instead, keeping them secured only by those she has the greatest hold over.”

”If those even are the ones,” cautioned Sarah.

Amdirlain nodded. “Something to think about, but that’s a long time from now. If I get her loose, want to bet the irregulars wouldn’t immediately get kicked out by the wards? How much damage might they do?”

“They could cost you the clues you’re after in that case.”

“That’s the thing with all plans; you need to weigh up the potential risk versus reward.”

An alert highlighting a section of the image in blue interrupted what Sarah had been about to say. “Detectors are complaining about water again.”

“Gives me something different to practice on,” grunted Amdirlain as she vanished.

Ki Movement allowed Amdirlain to quickly navigate the vast kilometres of tunnels, setting additional seals along the walls to prevent water from seeping in. Not employing a crystal to support the songs had each section draw on her health via Lingering Song, but Protean’s regeneration quickly obliterated the aches and pain.

An hour in, she caught a slithering echo that had left an oily frosted feel across the darkness’ melody. Focused on the sound, she isolated it near a T-junction the tunnellers had set in place. An accumulation of darkness and undeath had slipped sour, discordant tones across the Abyss’ jagged beats.

With nothing in immediate sight, Amdirlain focused on the junction’s midpoint and pressed into a Power that had finally gotten used in the last few years. Where only darkness has existed, daylight flared into being, only True Sight prevented it from blinding her. Shrill notes inaudible to mortals called out the undead beings' rage, and Amdirlain teleported forward to stand beneath the light’s focal point.

The pool of light reached nine metres or more, centred at the midpoint of the T-junction. Off to the side, Amdirlain found a dozen figures that had lain in ambush, hidden from her approach. Each looked like a distorted, elongated humanoid shadow, bodies composed of inky living darkness laced with negative energy, possessing too many fingers and limbs that bent in strange directions. Even though they drifted above the ground, feet kicking in continued pain from the light, it seemed as if they had found a solid purchase. The remains of one of them was already evaporating as it drifted, wisps of negative energy dissolving in the essence of purifying daylight. With only the upper part of it present, its drifting form guided Amdirlain’s attention to the shattered Gate connected with the Plane of Shadow.

The light continued to sear at the eleven that remained, and they turned to flee in apparent slow motion. A lightning surge erupted from an unstretched hand to illuminate a long stretch of tunnel and three crossroads in a stark blue-white radiance. The harsh light and raw electricity shredded the force that held the wounded figures together, along with thirty more beyond the initial glow. In rapid succession, multiple firestorms filled each crossroad with whips of flame and chewed up the last oily dissonance.

[Combat Summary:

Shadow: 62 x 840

Greater Shadow: 5 x 1320

Total experience gain: 58,680

Fallen: +11,736

Scion: +11,736

Ascetic: +11,736

Ostimë: +11,736

Ontãlin: +11,736

Daylight [Ap] (29->30)

Mana Critical [Ap] (10->11)]

With the intrusion ended, Amdirlain listened to the wound left by the severed Gate before she continued sealing the tunnels.

“Amdirlain, will you be able to make time for Gail? She took her classes today.” Ebusuku’s voice buzzed within the Message orb, containing an almost wistful tone.

“They grow up so fast. I’ll be back in the chamber shortly; give me ten minutes.”

“They’ll take longer than that to get organised. Elleth and Gail are discussing her choice of attire.”

Amdirlain's lips quirked, and she sent a teasing reply. “She’s only sixteen. I hope she isn’t going for your old fashion sense.”

“That’s not the issue, and she’s seventeen today,” corrected Eubusuku.

“Fuck, already?” Amdirlain murmured to herself. After finishing the seal on the latest section, Amdirlain teleported home.

Escorted by Erwarth, Gail appeared through the Gate at the chamber’s exact midpoint, with Gail’s usual erratic appearance shift in full force today. A long braid of crimson hair brushed the back of her knees, elven angular features hosted bright green feline eyes ringed with black. Her mouth was nearly normal except for the protruding long canine teeth pressed against her bottom and upper lip. To top it all off, her pale washed-out skin showed the blue hints common to the Isil, and she was solid with muscles that strained the cloth’s stitching. Her martial arts uniform was of dark blue silk and looked like it had seen better days, with threadbare cuffs and grass strains. Scruffy as she appeared, the starburst of the protection amulet around her neck meant Amdirlain wasn’t worried about the rest.

“Happy 17th, Gail,” cheered Amdirlain as she unleashed the song she’d been holding. A cloud of streams and a horde of metallic balloons burst into existence, floating about the chamber.

“Aunt Am, this is so cool,” yelled Gail before dashing over to hug Amdirlain. Their heights almost matched, letting Gail plop her chin on Amdirlain’s shoulder and stare at the floating balloons. “They’re so colourful.”

Erwarth walked over at a sedate pace and briefly clasped Amdirlain’s hand while Gail clung. Unlike when she visited alone, she was fully armoured and in Solar form with wings present; her posture spoke of alertness, ready to sweep Gail away at a moment’s notice. Despite the unchallenged concealments, Amdirlain was relieved by Erwarth’s vigilance.

Carefully returning Gail’s embrace, Amdirlain didn’t immediately reply. “I’m glad you like it. Are you feeling rebellious today?”

A huff accented Gail’s words with frustration. “Mother tried to talk me out of picking my classes again, and Elleth wanted me to dress correctly to come to visit you. Do you like my look?”

“Your form is very you,” allowed Amdirlain. “And your clothing?”

“Among the elven tribes in the deserts of Letveri, it's proper to dress down upon arrival at someone’s home if you’ve travelled a long distance. This is so the host might feel greater in their benevolence and more easily fit you with better clothing upon washing,” lectured Gail brightly and she released Amdirlain to spin in a circle, showing off the entire state of the uniform’s disrepair. “Since you’re frequently dressed scruffily, I thought I’d play it safe.”

“Well, you certainly managed scruffy.”

“It’s also good manners not to show up the host. Last time I visited, you and Ilya had just finished cutting each other up with those big hooked swords, and you had a boob hanging out of your shirt.”

“Cheeky miss,” snorted Amdirlain. “They’re Kopis.”

“I know what they’re called. Thank you for hosting me today, aunt Amdirlain. I feel much refreshed by your greeting. Have you been well?” asked Gail.

As she spoke, Gail’s form and clothing shifted. While the uniform only shed its damage and stains, Gail’s body changed extensively. Her shape turned into a lithe Anar with the typical bronze-gold skin and solid gold eyes. Crimson locks became a light platinum-blond that was shortened to shoulder length, and her smile twitched with suppressed mischief no longer sporting elongated eye teeth.

“I’ve been progressing nicely,” allowed Amdirlain. “More important now is what agreement you and your mother came to?”

“I took my classes, but I agreed to spread out my acquisition of Mana affinities and get a proper foundation,” explained Gail, and letting her shoulders slump, she gave a melancholy sigh. “Mother is far more interested in the precision of spellcraft than you are, aunt Am. However, I had to admit I need to know enough about a Wizard’s capability to disguise the other classes I took.”

“Which were?”

“I know you said it might be better to go for an evolved form of Glinnel, but it felt like a foundation in my Class vision,” blurted Gail, the rush of words carrying a hint of worry.

Amdirlain gave her a relaxed shrug that eased the sudden tension from Gail’s posture. “Well, I’ve never seen a Class vision, so you have that advantage over me. What you take should be what you’re happy with, though I’m curious. What made you feel that way?”

Gail tapped her chin thoughtfully before she replied. “You need some context. My Class vision has heaps of beautifully paved pathways through a forest—they’re all laid out using these big, golden-brown, buttery river stones. The sort of stones when you find them above a stream’s waterline gives you a sense of confidence you’ll get across and not tip in. Do you know what I mean?”

“Yes, I know the type you mean.”

“Cool,” chirped Gail and gave a satisfied nod. “Now, along most paths, the figures turn to face me. I know what the classes are just by looking at them, but if I meet their gaze, it hints at living a life with that Class. Not like seeing the future, just knowing what activities it’s best for, so you can see if it's a comfortable fit. Like the Thief Class, it felt wrong, but I unlocked it with Ras’ sneaky training.”

“It helped hone your grace and unlock other classes,” observed Erwarth.

“True, there is that,” admitted Gail. “Certainly, I wouldn’t have gotten one of my options without that training. But anyway, I digress, those figures, base or evolved, normally stand in easy arm's reach of those paths’ borders..”

“With all this build-up, I’m getting the feeling the True Song path is quite different,” commented Amdirlain, and she got a grim nod from Gail.

“It’s not a comfortable path. It looks like the stones were once there, but something came along and ripped them out or perhaps shattered them and drove them into the dirt,” grumbled an affronted Gail. “And it's all overgrown!”

“True Song is a dangerous power; it's quite possible to kill yourself with it, Gail,” reminded Amdirlain.

Gail nodded with a familiar teenager self-assurance that made Amdirlain want to laugh and groan simultaneously.

“I know, and it makes sense, but I’m just telling you about the path’s vibe. It’s so ugly and blah. True Song is dangerous, but the music is beautiful; even the thrashing music here has beauty. If it can have beauty here, why is its path ugly and cluttered?” protested Gail.

“That I can’t tell you for sure,” admitted Amdirlain and she kept her guesses to herself.

Sighing a nod, Gail threw her hands out in a what-can-you-do motion. “Anyway, Aryana stands further back from the path, with a hand resting on the shoulder of the Glinnel figure. Screams: we should go together, or this one leads the way. Especially since none of the other classes come close to touching each other—aside from Glinnel and Aryana—none wanted to meet my gaze, despite being visible.”

Suppressing a frown, Amdirlain stepped close and enfolded her in a bear hug. “No worries, that makes sense why you picked it.”

“No worries? That’s it?” gasped Gail.

“What did you expect me to say?” asked Amdirlain. “Maybe, since you’ve never had True Song, it's a requirement.”

Giving her a helpless look, Gail shrugged in Amdirlain’s embrace. “So many people have been giving me talks about having the strongest foundation of classes.”

“Some of us remember being eager to pick classes. We wanted you to be sure of your choices; they’ll have lasting consequences,” replied Erwarth.

Gail rolled her eyes in disbelief. “I’ve not spoken of them because I hadn’t changed my mind once I got the last one I was interested in. Why would I update you about things I wouldn’t take? Would you talk about it if you got Exotic Stablehand after shovelling up Unicorn droppings?”

“Unicorn manure you mean? Do I want to know why?” asked Amdirlain.

“Don’t ask what goes into some potions; that’s all I’ll say. Alchemists are weird, just shut your eyes, hold your nose, and drink,” advised Gail, keeping a severe expression until a twinkle of amusement escaped control. Snorting with laughter, Gail clasped Amdirlain’s face. “I know I didn’t fool you, but I tried, auntie. Why no smile?”

“Why Unicorn manure? You’ve got me too intrigued to smile; discerning minds have a right to know,” Amdirlain retorted and kept a composed expression in place against the gremlin’s antics.

“But it’s a secret recipe!” protested Gail and she fluttered her eyelids.

“Are you trying to play facts versus truth?”

“A girl can try,” admitted Gail.

Amdirlain rolled her eyes. “What is the intended effect of the alchemical creation we’ve been discussing?”

“No fair narrowing down loopholes that way,” grumped Gail. “Since you don’t want to play, it was a purification tonic for an old tree that had some magical disease damaging it.”

“Fine, so back on track. What classes did you take?” asked Amdirlain.

“I took Glinnel, Aryana, and Solar Emissary, along with Wizard,” recounted Gail.

[Aryana

Details: This evolved Base Class is available only to the elected Queen/King of the Anar or the ruling Queen/King of the Lómë.

Requirements:

Ruler elected by a clear majority of living Anar or their spouse. Or Heredity ruler of the Lómë or their spouse.

Provides the following gains:

+3 Intelligence per Level +3 Willpower per Level +4 Free Attributes per 2 Levels +4 Magic per Level +3 Defence per Level +1 Skill Rank per 2 Levels +3 Knowledge Ranks per Level

Unlock acquisition of Power: World Step (Group) Unlock acquisition of Power: Radiant Dawn Increases strength of insights related to powers and skills involved with True Song. Increases strength of insights for the progression of social skills.]

[Solar Emissary

Details: This evolved Base Class combines aspects of Spy and Diplomat. This Class suits those that seek to determine issues impacting communities of good beings, either through general discussion or covert action.

Requirements include:

Biological child of a Solar or divine being of the higher planes Master rank or higher in Diplomacy, Stealth, and a perception-type Skill Exposure to multiple cultures and species. Committed to helping good beings solely to increase the strength of good within the realm. Believer in a Concept or Sub-Concept related to Light or Good.

Provides the following gains:

+4 Quickness per Level +4 Charisma per Level +2 Free Attributes per 2 Levels +1 Defence per Level +1 Melee Attack Power per 2 Levels +2 Magic per Level +1 Skill Rank per 2 Levels +3 Knowledge Points per Level

Increases chance of gaining insights for the progression of infiltration skills. Increases chance of gaining insights for the progression of social skills.]

“Do you want to know the numbers?”

Gail grimaced as if she’d bitten into something sour. “Nope, I don’t enjoy knowing them. I want to be happy with my life and not get worried about optimal combinations. The classes feel right for me.”

“Well, Glinnel and Wizard are typical, but your evolved classes are very strong.”

“And not in the smelly cheese way,” remarked Gail.

“No, I suppose not,” chuckled Amdirlain. “Do you want to start by duplicating spells or things unique to True Song?”

“You and aunt Isa learnt the spells by listening to them, so let's focus on unique stuff,”

Amdirlain motioned her to wait and handed over a mithril pair of bracers and a ring. “The bracers set a physical deflection field around you and reflect harmful magics to their source. The ring will boost Protean’s regeneration by a few Skill ranks. Always wear them when adventuring anywhere, no matter who you’re with.”

“How long have you had these ready?” asked Gail, handling the gifts reverently. “They make my skin tingle.”

“I might have overdone their protections,” admitted Amdirlain. “I prepared them last year. Did Ebusuku go easier on you this year?”

“No, Gail made the two-day mark this time,” advised Erwarth.

Gail looked between them in disbelief. “I could have had these last year?”

“Guess you shouldn’t have given up debating with your mother so quickly.”

“Oh, you two are cheaters,” protested Gail. “Which just means I wasn’t trying hard enough, I know!”

“You have them now, so let's get started,” stated Amdirlain pointing Gail’s attention to a spot at the chamber’s side.

A golden light spread over a section of stone, turning it into rich loam. Shifting her melody, the glow focused on a palm width in its centre, and a fey fruit tree rose from the soil. Amdirlain waited until its upper branches were an arm’s length overhead before she caused it to bloom. Large royal purple flowers with thumb-sized petals obscured their view of the greenery.

“I hope I’m not to manage that right from the start,” Gail nervously joked.

“Have you listened to petals and leaves fall?”

“No,” admitted Gail.

Amdirlain motioned to the tree. “Pluck a leaf or petal and listen to the interplay of forces.”

As soon as Amdirlain had issued the instruction, Gail moved to the nearest branch and plucked a petal. Listening intently, it was only after the petal had nearly reached the ground that Gail spoke. “Is this what you did in the Maze, auntie Am?”

“I started with abilities targeting the fruit and slowly found the note when force overcame the fruit’s stem. You need to do this part manually.”

Gail bit her lip in thought. “Aunt Isa said you sang one note in a demonstration to her for hours. Was that this one?”

“Yes,” admitted Amdirlain.

“You could sing the note, but then I wouldn’t learn how to isolate it. Is that why I’m doing this?”

“Yes.”

Her curiosity satisfied, Gail slowly plucked the flower, listening to the increasing tension applied and its fall to the ground. She was on the fourth flower when she stopped again. “There are multiple parts to its fall: the air pushes against it, something else pulls it to the ground, and the petal has an existing downward speed, and I think there are some more.”

Amdirlain nodded. “What about when it comes away from the flower?”

“There is the tension of my finger on the petal, stress on the material of the petal and the flower, but it's where they join that gives way first. Why doesn’t the petal rip, or even the flower?”

“Depending on how you yank at one, you could tear a petal, but the flower’s core is tougher. You should be able to tell from their song's presence the relative toughness,” pointed out Amdirlain. “Do you have the songs of those tensions memorised? If so, sing the increase of tension into the link between a petal; make sure not to shorten it.”

Gail nodded and set to work, gradually littering the ground with the petals. “There is a sharp popping note right at the end.”

“I want you to sing the lead-up as well. Try it carefully, and focus on one at a time,” cautioned Amdirlain, and she got Gail to shift position to ensure she had only a few blooms in her line of sight.

The lesson continued without a hiccup, accumulated fatigue being banished by Gail's Protean until a slip of focus denuded a branch of petals and leaves.

“Drats!” muttered Gail, and she swiped at the blood dripping from her nose.

Amdirlain acted without thinking and put a hand on her shoulder, letting her Ki flow. The golden energy illuminated Amdirlain’s skin, and Gail’s eyes went wide.

“I’m fine now,” Gail squeaked, giving Amdirlain a wide-eyed look practically buzzing with the energy.

Erwarth frowned in momentary confusion before she crouched to wipe Gail’s face clean.

“What did you do wrong?” asked Amdirlain.

“I tried to expand my intention to a whole flower at once,” admitted Gail, not struggling against Erwarth checking on her.

Amdirlain nodded. “Then you slipped; more at once isn’t always better.”

Gail frowned. ”Don’t you need to do heaps of damage in combat? How does this help?”

“A precise strike to a vulnerable spot can be worth far more than randomly hitting a foe. You’re learning to focus your intent on a specific target location.”

“But wouldn’t a series of precise strikes be better? Like hitting someone in the nose, throat and under the ribs, just one, two, three.”

“You’re trying to run before you’re on your feet; build the foundation to stand on first. Plus, you don’t need to get one song to do everything. Once you’re set, you can learn Multi-Voice, then by having each song do a little, you’ll achieve far more before you tire,” reassured Amdirlain.

Gail nodded seriously. “Can I try again?”

“Alright, but this time, I want you to focus on the intent of each note. The goal is to stretch the Power so you can apply the notes faster rather than diffuse your attention,” explained Amdirlain. “This severing note you can use on various objects once you get it right. Severing the ligaments in an undead’s limb completely, you’ll reduce its effectiveness.”

“Oh! Mother told you I was going to train on Cemna?”

“Not directly, but I figured it was likely,” clarified Amdirlain. “How is the giants’ resettlement going?”

“More of the tribes have been located. Since all the closest canyons are now cleared, they’ve set up communities outside that ruined elven city—the one Isa used for training and where Erwarth found the harp,” answered Gail excitedly before her shoulders slumped. “Protean won’t let me become a Giant.”

“Once you’ve increased its strength, you can take in extra mass,” explained Amdirlain. “When it's able to do that, you’ll be able to grow.”

“Excellent!” squealed Gail.

Amdirlain motioned her to a new branch. “Take your time, and don’t practice this alone.”

“Yes, Auntie Am,” replied Gail, giving a sharp nod for emphasis.

“Once you get your focus down, I’ll perform a few high-energy songs suitable to your Anar range,” offered Amdirlain, and Gail gave her a beaming smile.