Oronis the Teacher, Ruler & Savant

[DM Bob]

Enemy's Slumber, 10th of Dominary - Morning

Current Locations: Oronis' Class in the Way, New Kurn

A few restful days have passed as you are told to wait until his excellency, the benevolent dictator himself is able to see you. You are invited to his meditation and class on the Way in one of the hidden stone towers of New Kurn, built into the very mountainside of the White Mountains overlooking the small Utopia below. Even those of you that don't practice much of the Will and the Way are expected to participate, as a more private meeting is to be had after the morning's reflection.

Many, many bone dry stairs wind their way up to the crown of the tower, where the reflections are made in the open air and facing east towards the rising Sun. While the hot wind whips, oddly it strays from affecting those squatting on reed mats practicing their daily reflections. Dozens of brown robed citizens sit, facing Oronis, who is in the form of a grey haired monarch, worry lines carved like crags in his very skin. His body is in complete opposition to those lines of past anxiety and generations of stress, as he breathes in and out in rhythm, droning a monastic ohm that the others follow. Every so often, he gently states a scene to visualize...

"Imagine your Ego dissolving..."

"Focus from you toes slowly up your core, forget their purpose."

"Now keep going. Slow your heart. Will it. Forget it."

"Open your third eye. Only your mind remains. We are pure energy. We are life; yet detached."

"See the Nexus. Bathe in it's peace."

It is then that he reaches out and contacts each of you in turn, opening your minds to possibilities that you were never aware existed.

Some time before lunch, he dismisses the bulk of the students.

"We need to talk. While I am happy with our mission to the west, there are many loose ends that need to be put to rest. One is simple. If I command an action through one of my closest, I need to make sure that you do not go rogue as you did during the battle against Graytch. I very easily could have killed you by accident." He looks Hurk and Ande in the eyes as he says this. "I have been responsible for too much Death & Suffering already and my path to redemption continues with every breathe I take."

A tear is wiped from his tired eye.

"I promise that we can take care of ourselves on the field. I will not chide you further, as due to your friendships and actions we were able to escape without a single casualty. I grant you a temporary leave to your own devices until we need further support in the west or the need is greater here in Kurn. Beware the efreeti. The elemental lords of all four elements hold many secrets, but their prices are almost always too high."

"The next weeks I intend on learning everything I can about these Strange and their fungal blight. My library, laboratories and meditation spaces remain open for all of your use while I do so... and there's a matter of reward for your deeds. Metal from the skeletal horde was recovered and is going to generate a hefty profit in trade. We continue to disrupt the markets in Tyr, Balic and a few other places, buying up the livestock before we send them to the tohr in Nirik, perhaps staving off kreen invasions in the future and also weakening the strength of our proper enemies. I want you to remain in daily contact with Akos until duty calls once more. He has also been instructed to equip you with some items from the armory - within reason. If there are relics you need to need for your magics, we will assist on providing what we can."

[Deleted]

Chat'cho is, admittedly, having a little bit of trouble concentrating. She fidgets every few seconds, silently swiveling her head about as she constantly seems to feel the need to look at something or someone new. Thankfully, due to the fact that she doesn't really need to wear clothes, she doesn't exactly produce a great deal of noise as she squirms. She only knows a single Psionic devotion, and it's not exactly a particularly useful one, so her attempts to connect with Oronis are clumsy and childish at best. Luckily, there aren't any other Kreen in here--her pheromones go unnoticed.

Like most living beings, Kreen have an internal clock. Certain things should be done by certain times in one's life, so as to best ensure the survival of the pack. Chat'cho has no pack--at least, not a pack of other Kreen--but the racial memories common to her race exist regardless. Thri-Kreen are sexually mature by age four, and usually mate before age five. Chat'cho is six, and her isolated upbringing as a druid was not conducive to producing offspring. As a result, her hormones have been growing more and more out of balance ever since. She feels a growing sense of doom that leaves her flustered and scatterbrained. Despite the fact that, one some level, she is aware of the fact that desperation is not attractive, the growing terror gnawing at the back of her mind is becoming more and more difficult to ignore.

Out of a sense of duty to avoid impropriety, however, Chat'cho focuses her efforts on maintaining decorum, which she manages without too much issue. She is not short on willpower, and is extraordinarily socially-conscious for a Thri-Kreen. After a few moments, she goes still again, and begins to busy her thoughts with the possibilities of what she might do with a few weeks to her own devices in Oronis's great city.

[Coden Rokos (Jesse H.)]

"I'd like to learn more about the ecosystem of Kurn," says Coden. "Inner knowledge and outer knowledge must work together like left and right hands. Altering the environment in such a radical fashion is... far more than simply opening one's inner eye."

He holds forth his spear; the very end, the tiniest point of the tip, appears to have been capped with or transmuted into a very, very small amount of metal—possibly steel.

"Altering the material world seems to be an arduous, time-consuming process, yet Kurn has managed to create a lush paradise for thousands in a relatively short span of time."

Coden fully expects to be directed to some junior templar or preserver who arranges instructional courses on such things.

[Attilius]

Oct 23, 2023 11:52:54 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

Many, many bone dry stairs wind their way up to the crown of the tower, where the reflections are made in the open air and facing east towards the rising Sun. While the hot wind whips, oddly it strays from affecting those squatting on reed mats practicing their daily reflections. Dozens of brown robed citizens sit, facing Oronis, who is in the form of a grey haired monarch, worry lines carved like crags in his very skin. His body is in complete opposition to those lines of past anxiety and generations of stress, as he breathes in and out in rhythm, droning a monastic ohm that the others follow.

Hurk invites Coden to sit next to him ”Just like old times at The Cerebran, eh?” he smirks.

Oct 23, 2023 11:52:54 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

It is then that he reaches out and contacts each of you in turn, opening your minds to possibilities that you were never aware existed.

The half giant dives head first and explores those possibilities shown to him.

Oct 23, 2023 11:52:54 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

Some time before lunch, he dismisses the bulk of the students. "We need to talk. While I am happy with our mission to the west, there are many loose ends that need to be put to rest. One is simple. If I command an action through one of my closest, I need to make sure that you do not go rogue as you did during the battle against Graytch. I very easily could have killed you by accident." He looks Hurk and Ande in the eyes as he says this. "I have been responsible for too much Death & Suffering already and my path to redemption continues with every breathe I take." A tear is wiped from his tired eye.

The half giant loudly snaps to attention ”Aye sir! Sorry sir! Won’t happen again!” he says stoically but HurK’s embarrassment is palpable.

Oct 23, 2023 11:52:54 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

I want you to remain in daily contact with Akos until duty calls once more. He has also been instructed to equip you with some items from the armory - within reason. If there are relics you need to need for your magics, we will assist on providing what we can."

For items/gear, HurK will see about obtaining 6 kyorkcha like those he saw among the Tohr, and get new half giant sized gear he lost in his conflagration "date": Clothes, Bandoliers, camping equipment, quartz crystals, etc.

Not sure the amount of metal they're getting but he would inquire if his portion could be traded for any Psionic batteries.

If unavailable, he'd then ask to trade for psionically empowering or magically enspelling his overcompensator to be as strong as steel and be able to hit creatures only affected by magic weapons.

Barring that, he'd ask to trade his portion for any Psionic amulets or psionic or magic weapons they may have available.

Oct 23, 2023 11:52:54 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

"My library, laboratories and meditation spaces remain open for all of your use while I do so..."

HurK will ask the masters to help him begin his research journey of his High Science: Elemental Composition
[High Sciences can be researched as if the character was trying to create a new science. but require a base time of 200 days. The study of a High Science is always considered to be a difficult enterprise. and the psionicist suffers a -4 on his progress checks through the course of his meditation. He won't be able to start using it until 10th level.]

[Coden Rokos (Jesse H.)]

Oct 23, 2023 13:09:39 GMT -12 Attilius said:

Oct 23, 2023 11:52:54 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

Many, many bone dry stairs wind their way up to the crown of the tower, where the reflections are made in the open air and facing east towards the rising Sun. While the hot wind whips, oddly it strays from affecting those squatting on reed mats practicing their daily reflections. Dozens of brown robed citizens sit, facing Oronis, who is in the form of a grey haired monarch, worry lines carved like crags in his very skin. His body is in complete opposition to those lines of past anxiety and generations of stress, as he breathes in and out in rhythm, droning a monastic ohm that the others follow.

Hurk invites Coden to sit next to him ”Just like old times at The Cerebran, eh?” he smirks.

"Not as many calisthenics," murmurs Coden quietly. "But I feel like I am at a point where I can appreciate some of these teachings more than in my youth, when I was just a misguided spear-carrier with a lot of unfocused anger and distress."

[Niachi]

Niachi will request the highest possible access to the library's Planar wing and accommodations for his familiar including access to the sky.

When these details are done, he takes his leave to meet his tribal contact in the seedier part of Kurn. This time, it's a young orphan ragamuffin with a toy-sized dagger. Only when their talk is mingled with the shouts and dealings of the open market, he gives her the summary of Seed, tohr, Mi-Goh, and efreeti.

The child murmurs her approval, and for his services, she palms him a small reward of _________________ (DM's choice)

She scampers off into the crowd, never to be seen again in the region. Niachi waves to his hidden watchers and returns to the palace.

He awaits the armory's invitation with eyes on a metal or magic 2H sword,  scrolls of Invocation or Alteration magics, various protections against fire and mental possession, and quality obsidian.

[AthasianLaborer]

Ande will take a position next to Chat'cho and participate in the morning meditations as she has many, many times over the course of her life.

Ande averts her gaze as Oronis chastises her rash behaviors "<Aarakocra> I could not allow them to charge into danger alone, especially not after the fiasco that morning" she replies as she lowers her head.

Ande will spend the time of her temporary leave meditating (Intent: Reducing the Initial PSP cost of Dimensional Screen by 50%)

If asked of specific items she desired in reward, a psionic battery would be much appreciated.

[Deleted]

At first, Chat'cho attempts to stay near to Ande, her friend, but it quickly becomes clear that she and her constant squirming and agitation will be nothing but an irritant to Ande's meditation. Instead, she sets out to attempt the construction of a magical artifact that will keep her safe.

[Chat'cho attempts creation of Sash of the Unseen. Functions as Ring of Invisibility and Inaudibility, but wearable by Thri-Kreen. She will provide spells as needed, but is quite short on funds.]

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Eslyk looks at the man in front of him, a Sorcerer-King talking to us, grateful to us, a rare, unique and pleasant gift indeed coming from the Great Oronis.
The halfling listens to all he has to say and to all what her colleagues replied. She has doubts about what to ask, what to request and something arises in her mind, inner peace and calm following his training, one to repeat from now on to release tension and bring focus. She opens her eyes, a smile flourishes in her face - "Thank you master Oronis, I really feel better after this meditative session. I'll remember it when I return to my home, I'll repeat it each day" - looking at him - "I am an animal tamer yet I don't have any way to communicate with them. If it happens that you have any wonder to help me in the journey or knowledge of any psionic science or devotion I could learn from you related to this aim, I will be happy to learnt it, only if you have or know, if not just this meeting will suffice. Thank you" - in polite tone by halfling standards, as she is everything but a diplomat

[Quila Oris (John M.)]

downtime intentions
- Finish learning tri-kreen language
- Library to research the connection of efreeti with the planes and their abilities to plane shift or teleport and how best to hinder that
- Return some unused scrolls to the stockade and request some specifically used against fire-element based creatures to weaken and attack them
- Get around to my 5th level half-elf animal companion as that shouldabeen sorted already during character 'upgrading' to level 7 for the campaign start
- Check-in with Elos Ardes, my partner, and introduce her to the outsiders (Ande and Chat'cho would know her already), just in case I would switch to that character in the future it’s a neat setup
- If there are guestimated at least 50 days of downtime Quila will start meditating to increase an ability score for psionic purposes (intelligence, maybe wisdom though, i should like to confirm later)

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

Downtime intentions:
- Improve the knowledge of psionics related to animals.
- Research about efreeti weaknesses and what they like.
- Investigate the metal containers that were given to us by Erfurth and the other travellers.
- Learn about the Halfling race of that era and what the Messenger said about 'Halflings will walk Athas again'.
- Look for a mid to small pet in the market to train as my companion, preferably air-based.
- If, as Quila said, there are 50 days estimated of downtime, Eslyk will start meditating to increase an ability score for psionic purposes (Con), or do physical training to improve it by exercising.

[AthasianLaborer]

Ande will prepare to meditate for 50 days towards improving her Intelligence.

She willl engage in Tohr-Kreen immersion learning with Chat'cho and Quila, limiting herself to communicating in Tohr-Kreen (at least with them and anyone else willing to help her learn)

If there is time left once meditations are complete, she will fill that time with aerial bombardment plumbata practice (fill a pocket dimesion full with plumbata and start dropping them from a reasonable engagement altitude.  Thinking 500-1000').

I imagine that she'd pursue experience with both individual (dropping them out one at a time) and cluster (kill the pocket dimension and let the contents rain down) bombardment. 

Observing direction and timing, learning to gauge for the wind (or starting to try to, she'll only get 10 days at best if we're waiting two months).

Ande is assuming that Eslyk, Niachi and Quila's studies are sufficent for our Liandrin research (Ande will rely on them knowing what they're doing but would offer to cast Divinations in support if that doesn't interfere with her meditations)

Sedulous Treasury Withdraw is 220gp

Fortuary Treasury Withdraw is 410gp

(I rolled for both since 60 days puts us in the second week of Fortuary and 50 days still puts us on the 1st)