Amdirlain’s PoV - Outlands
Amdirlain flitted back and forth to Grohtan a few times to study the Portal from both sides before repeating the process with the natural Gate to Cemna.
She was working her way through the complexity of their music when Sarah’s draconic voice rumbled in her ear. “I’ll be a couple more days at least; my mentor dearest is experimenti...
2023-03-26 20:48:52 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Grohtan - Ruined city
The ringing orchestra from Mars gained a touch of good-humoured impatience—an eagerness to be on his way more than a fit of temper. His form’s song was more substantial than Moradin’s avatar and had Amdirlain wondering at his remark about a limited avatar, but she didn’t intend to risk Analysis with the music’s strength....
2023-03-23 08:32:01 +0000 UTC View PostThough the phrasing of Zosime’s greeting had been typical, the tension in her shoulders was far from it.
“I hope my staying here hasn’t caused you any problems, Zosime.”
Zosime shrug came with a wary smile. “Only that many expect me to know answers to all their questions about you.”
“My apologies; that could get frustrating,” I offer.
“I pointed out tha...
2023-03-21 08:10:14 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Blazing Portal inn in Xaos
The rooftop suite was lavishly furnished with deep comfortable chairs, soft beds and thick rugs. It had a ‘small’ library of only a few thousand books and a kitchen suitable for some larger modern restaurants. The issue Fanya had indicated with the suite wasn't only because the outer walls were transparent but ...
2023-03-19 13:22:50 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Xaos
As she walked towards the town, the stalks within the surrounding grain fields swayed in the breeze, but the orange crop wasn’t anything she recognised. The maturity in their song and the harvesting activity in fields closer to the town told her all she needed to know about the crops' state.
Renewing her aura’s concealments, A...
2023-03-16 21:50:25 +0000 UTC View PostThe steady lifting of the stone wall takes half a minute before the bottom lip comes into view, and a steel plate lifts to bridge the gap. U-shaped cut-outs let it seal around the pistons that continue pushing until the stone is above the passageway’s ceiling. Another guard waves us through; a metallic racket of latches locking into place accompanies his gesture.
When we get past the de...
2023-03-14 04:44:08 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - City of Brass
Their trek back through the city streets had provided Amdirlain confirmation that operating in the city would lead her to disaster. The nature of the Efreeti wouldn’t change, and she could already feel her growing anger and disgust. There weren’t any alien circumstances or anything obscene, weird, or grossly horrific like she’d enco...
2023-03-13 05:54:02 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - City of Brass - Outer ring assassin’s guild outpost
Stepping past the Efreeti at the door, they entered a short corridor, closed at the end by a silver privacy curtain glowing from the constant heat. Waves of it brushed against them from the walls, the clinging darkness still providing no relief. Though Amdirlain was immune to the temperature, it did...
2023-03-09 21:58:10 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Demi-Plane
Ebusuku gave the pair an overview of the City of Brass before she left Amdirlain and Sarah to attempt alternative mediation techniques. Some of those Sarah took Amdirlain through were variations on approaches Amdirlain had previously used. Despite her efforts to develop the Skill separately, Amdirlain found everything tied back to Devouring ...
2023-03-07 00:00:02 +0000 UTC View PostThe rest of the group didn’t hear the misleading revelation I inflicted on Hasusar. With him still standing silent on the hall’s threshold, I get back to them without anything said.
I catch Selene muttering about the size of the fancy hall when I come near, making it difficult to hold my laughter in, especially since some of her objections mirror my own.
“My aunt designed it t...
2023-03-04 21:42:59 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Ijmti
Naamah's grin had broadened at Laodice’s pronouncement. “Let’s get going then. I’ll get my kin to send me images of the fortresses I’ve never seen—a few planes have hundreds.”
That the two knew each other shouldn’t have surprised Amdirlain, yet the knowledge sat uncomfortably. “I’ve got a question for...
2023-03-01 20:49:43 +0000 UTC View PostGlad I’d returned to my female form at some point, I gather up the yet-unknown lady on my way to the head table. Looping my arm through hers causes her to tense up from surprise—I hope it isn’t because she’s taken offence. I don’t want to think about what gossip would swirl if I did that still while male. Some species' focus on fleshy bits is so strange.
“I believe you arrived...
2023-02-27 15:21:30 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Gate between Hrz’Styrn and Ijmti
With the circle’s alchemical silver tarnishing fast, Amdirlain set sung barriers against Death and the other energies found on Ijmti.
“Your ability to channel energy certainly reflects your age,” remarked Amdirlain.
“What do you remember, Ori? Without someone around to sing your memories back,” p...
2023-02-25 05:45:19 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Ijmti
The pair seemed uncertain about what to make of her calm response; then the Eldest turned his gaze towards Dagrastûr. “Please see to the assignment of a mentor.”
“I’ve got a project I need to finish before working with the Cloister more closely,” Amdirlain informed calmly. “I’m sure this isn’t normal for someone seeking Red...
2023-02-23 06:58:52 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - The Exchange
The exit from The Exchange was identical to the others Amdirlain had used. The flight of stairs descended to a square black room, where a pressure change made the sealing of the route behind them known.
Leading the way, Dagrastûr stopped at the chamber’s midpoint. “Easiest if I open a Gate, but I’d prefer if you’d renew your...
2023-02-20 05:12:30 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - The Exchange
Those watching when she’d passed through the entry gate had looked away at her transformation, but her state didn’t remain a deterrent. Other entities began to follow the pair in their travels through the city streets, some only for short distances, but one persistent Nymph continued to trail Amdirlain for blocks on th...
2023-02-17 18:47:32 +0000 UTC View PostEllother’s laughter draws the attention of those arguing within the hall, causing some to walk towards us.
“By the way, aunt Sarah, did they ask politely?”
Sarah’s smile doesn’t fade. “Those that arrived early did. Those that arrived later seemed to have forgotten to pack their manners. They were agitated when I left them unfed after getting your news. A few priests migh...
2023-02-16 05:56:49 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Culerzic
[Achievement: Legendary Liberator
Condition: Free over 10,000 prisoners through a single escape plan.
Reward: 50,000,0000 experience.
Note: Practice makes perfect?]
Amdirlain drew in a shuddering breath and scrubbed away the tears that the release of tension freed.
The notification almost caused h...
2023-02-12 13:01:46 +0000 UTC View PostGathering up the meat from the lightning-cooked crabs, I push out Resonance's reach and what I find steals amusement away. Sprinting between the last of them, I head back to the others. “Lots of crabs are moving in. I’d hoped it was a Mana surge through the nexus overnight responsible for so many, but from what I sense, something is actively driving them from the ocean’s depths.”
...
2023-02-10 13:41:40 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Outlands
The structure she’d set up allowed plenty of space, but the excavation had taken only minutes. A hollow fourteen-metre cube held four smaller free-standing cells in a grid pattern, with a lane around each cell for layers of containment and protection. The base of each of the smaller cells was five metres squared, and the elaborately carved i...
2023-02-07 13:18:47 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Sanctuary’s Demi-Plane
As Sarah got close, Amdirlain gestured to Livia. “Livia brought me up to speed on the main points with Torm and the cult. I’ll get the details about Torm’s contact in The Exchange from you after we take care of some key items.”
“Whenever you want, we can go together,” acknowledged Sarah.
“I’ll ask Er...
2023-02-05 12:25:48 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Culerzic
The message globe buzzed at her shoulder, Resonance letting her hear the contents without activating it.
“Aunt Am, are you busy?”
Gail’s words were in an excited yet anxious tone that snatched at Amdirlain’s attention.
“I can be at the dome shortly.”
The energy in Gail’s message clawed at her for attention...
2023-02-03 15:37:48 +0000 UTC View PostWith the revelation that Sarah is a Dragon shocking the rest to various degrees, I smile at Glingaerneth. “You mentioned the King intended the Royal Guard to assist me in seeking the key. What was his—or the royal council's—expectation upon its discovery?”
Glingaerneth cleared her throat. “I don’t believe that expectation is relevant any longer, given we’re not discussing it...
2023-02-01 00:00:02 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Culerzic
After years with Sarah’s constant company, the months of near isolation since her departure gnawed at Amdirlain. While Sarah and Gail's various puzzles and updates helped, the gateways opened with the Lómë weren’t sufficient to push the feeling aside. The gates were teasing windows into a place she couldn’t reach and, in some ways, hur...
2023-01-29 10:03:52 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Culerzic
“Roher, after my next session creating constructs with Laergul, would you have time to create some crystal rods?”
It was a few minutes before he responded. “While I’ll be able to spare time, I have a family commitment, so I’ll only be able to give you about seven hours for a session. If that is insufficient, I can organise some...
2023-01-27 21:32:53 +0000 UTC View PostWith my instructions, all except the Royal Guard move to take seats, but I ignore the indistinct murmurs as unimportant despite the accusatorial tones some contain.
Their low conversation means I have to raise my voice to be heard, and I’m glad for Sarah’s briefing. “Royal Guard Captain Arodion, please have your command sit. The wards protect against violence, so they don’t need t...
2023-01-25 11:50:13 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Culerzic
When a Gate bloomed into existence well away from the chamber’s midpoint, it emitted a pained screaming, and the pair reacted in a blur. When Amdirlain leapt out of the Gate’s focus, Sarah's head swung around. Inhaling sharply, she readied her breath weapon, only to stop with a grunt and settle back to the ground.
“We weren’t exp...
2023-01-22 20:42:38 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’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 ...
2023-01-21 03:31:14 +0000 UTC View PostA touch causes a shrub within my bower to grow into the shape of a simple chair, the interlocking branches and broad leaves providing enough flexibility to be comfortable. I’ve barely had time to run through the harp’s full reach twice before I hear Sarah’s voice beside me, a razor-sharp edge in her tone.
“First issue you have is the royal delegation, comprising the High Singer, R...
2023-01-18 07:57:24 +0000 UTC View PostAmdirlain’s PoV - Culerzic
The vast chamber could swallow Sydney harbour, the result of who knows how many aeons of the cruiser-sized Lurker’s efforts. Dodging away from the Lurker’s claw strike, Sarah barrel-rolled and pulled her wings in tight to slip between two columns. The beast didn’t correct its attack, and the blow pulverised the stone and unleashed a clou...
2023-01-16 07:44:18 +0000 UTC View Post