Quonundrum wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 8:10 pmAndronichishche
Andronichishche stood underneath the solitary large tree on the beach that serves as a foundation for Randall's tavern. Several feet above through the square cut opening into the tree house, Andron could hear the grog and rum fueled conversations, arguments, and revelries shared by the late night patrons. Although not at peak busy time, from the noise he estimated at least half of the tables were fully occupied.
Directly before him was a piece of parchment nailed to the trunk. A long list of names, some with short epitaphs memorializing those who lost their lives to the dangers of the island. He instantly recognized Maag's handwriting and atrocious spelling, wondering if someday he too will be listed among the fallen. Shaking the disturbing thought from his head, he begins to breath deeply, rhythmically, shifting his consciousness to the precipice of cognizance.
The canvas thus prepared, Andronichishche visualizes the specific psionitropic permutation to the desired matrix and mentally links key sections to neurons that will be somatically activated. He places a hand on either size of his head and temples, carefully positioning each digit to the correct neural axis. The preparations now complete, he infuses the matrix with arcane energy to cast the Empathia Cogitatus spell.
After a full day of concentration, excessive thought, and grueling mental toil, Andronichishche feels like he might be ready to attempt to use his mind in ways he once only dreamed possible.
Standing below the half full tavern, he touches his head in certain places with the tips of his fingers, applying pressure to exactly the right spots on his skull. After about a minute of intense concentration, the priest of Rao's mind is suddenly assailed with thoughts and ideas from above, none of which are his own. The initial blast almost makes the half-elf sick to his stomach, but he is eventually able to dissect the thoughts into single, individual patterns that he can pinpoint easier.
Though he cant actually read the thoughts as if he were attempting extra sensory perception, he is pretty certain that there are 6 people directly above him with low intellect, and another 3 with average intelligence. The priest then gets a sudden highly intelligent brain blast he cant explain. This process knocks him completely unconscious, dropping him to the soft, piss soaked sand where he lay until a kind passerby helps him back to reality, eventually getting him back to his feet.
Not really sure if his new magic worked or not, Andron cant stomach the idea of attempting the mental scry again.
Tlachtga swings by and lets Andron know she is going just outside of town to experiment with the Jade Dog. Then heads out side the town on the beach a short way.
She places the statuette on the sand, backs up 7 paces and says "Manalishi!"
When the druid verbalizes the command word Manalishi, the jade statuette suddenly morphs into a full size dog. Though its fur has a slightly green tint to it now, the dog otherwise looks eerily similar to her old friend Cu.
irish-wolfhound-mastiff-mix.jpg (246.54 KiB) Viewed 932 times
The big green haired dog isn't the only surprise she gets once the animal suddenly introduces itself verbally.
Rarely surprised the Druidess is taken back for a moment, "Hello to you my friend, I am Tlachtga Macha, Druidess of the Old Faith. You have an eerie resemblance to an old and dear friend of mine."
"I do, but it is in a skin meant for my kind. If we head back to where I live I think we have a bowl."
She will lead the way to the stronghold asking questions as she goes.
These will be spaced to his responses.
Can you stay in this form indefinitely or do you need to become the statuette periodically?
If I say your name again will your turn back into the statuette or is there another command word for that? If so I will need to think of something else to call you.
Are you aware of your surroundings when you are a statuette?
You asked for water, do you require much food and water or is it just something you enjoy?
While researching psionitropic magic, and particularly his first spell utilizing it to detect conscious thought, Andronichishche naturally considered the relation to his deity's sphere of influence. Reason. The application of logical thought. A core tenet of Raoism, reason is what leads to dialogue and eventually peace and serenity. The psionitropic spell Andronichishche developed essentially uses the caster's relaxed, calm state of mind as the material component. A sort of psychic radar dish, tuned to detect cognizance.
This train of thought gave rise to a new clerical spell with the same theoretical basis. Instead of the caster's mind, however, Rao's serenity and clarity of reason is invoked and provides the substrate to detect anomalies that prevent or inhibit the exercise of reason. The effect is analogous to a full waterskin. The water within flows freely and agitating the skin would only show minor, smooth deformations of the skin's material. The spell's magic would act as a layer around the target's mind, conforming to the ebb and flow of thought. Any significant disturbance to this natural flow is detected and analyzed for the caster.
Again, Andronichishche sequesters himself in his rented shack. He allows himself to enter the same serene state of mind required for psionitropic magic. From dawn until dusk, he meditates upon the principles of Raoism, seeking divine guidance on the necessary semantics and somatics to channel the metaphysical magic. He became increasingly frustrated in his failed attempts to properly form a cohesive foundation for the spell, though. The answer seemed to always be just out of reach, like a fluttering butterfly.
On the verge of exhaustion and ready to yield, Andronichishche suddenly recalls the wisdom of a visiting monk to the temple of Rao. Become the petal. Referring to a flower petal on the surface of a lake. It floats and moves with the water, in calm and stormy weather. So should one reason. Allow the mind to adapt and flow, using intuition when logic fails. At that moment, Andron received a divine epiphany and the way became clear. Now he required a suitable test subject. He thought of the treehouse, but immediately disregarded it. The strange ... mind ... he detected last night still disturbed him.
He does have several companions conveniently residing in the same hut, though. Detecting unconsciousness should also be quite easy for the magic to detect, and he's somewhat sure they wouldn't mind him hovering over their beds while they slept ...
"I do, but it is in a skin meant for my kind. If we head back to where I live I think we have a bowl."
She will lead the way to the stronghold asking questions as she goes.
These will be spaced to his responses.
Can you stay in this form indefinitely or do you need to become the statuette periodically?
If I say your name again will your turn back into the statuette or is there another command word for that? If so I will need to think of something else to call you.
Are you aware of your surroundings when you are a statuette?
You asked for water, do you require much food and water or is it just something you enjoy?
Manalishi follows the druid, happy to get out of the sunshine and the flea covered sand.
"Look, I am pretty sure I'm just a normal dog, lady. I don't know anything about a statue or any command words. Though, now that you mention it, I do seem to have long periods of time where I don't remember things that happen, so maybe that has something to do with what you're asking?"
"And I'm not sure if I require food and drink or not, but I know I fell thirsty and hungry right now, so lets have it!"
Andronichishche steps outside and closes the door to his rented shack. The sun was hanging low on the western horizon, and although not visible through the jungle canopy it was still illuminating the sky in shades of yellow, orange, and red. Initially intent on visiting the Stronghold to experiment with his new spell on the Fellowship ... for science ... he pauses as he espies the treehouse tavern in the distance.
The previous night while testing the Empathia Cogitatus spell at the base of the tree tavern, he was struck unconsciousness by the presence of an extraordinarily powerful intellect which overwhelmed his magically enhanced senses. Andronichishche had accounted for the other nine minds he detected in the tavern, so at the time he didn't think much more of it, believing an error in the spell caused the anomaly. Viewing the tree from a distance now, he realizes there was one other creature in the immediate vicinity. The tree.
Before arriving on the island, he wouldn't have given this thought any further attention. After encountering the carnivorous trees on the tiny offshore island ... he's not so quick to dismiss the possibility. Besides, now that he thinks about it, how did a tree grow to that size on a sandy beach? He was no druid, to be sure, but the phenomena seemed unnatural to him.
Returning his focus to the task at hand, Andron reconsiders the test subject as he glances at the treehouse again. The two spells share a common function in that they allow one to detect and gauge relative intelligence. Unlike Empathia Cogitatus, however, this new clerical spell targets an individual creature. If what he sensed last night is indeed the tree, his new spell should confirm that. He first had to rule out a malfunction that may have skewed the previous night's test, though ...
Andronichishche almost slaps himself in the head for missing the obvious. Directly across from his shack is the Hi-Lo building. Usually only lady Nallissa is inside, so she would be a perfect practical test. He casually saunters to the north side of the building, avoiding the front door. After checking to ensure he doesn't have a visible audience, he allows his mind to fall into a near trance and casts the Empathia Cogitatus spell.
"MAAG PAARTY! DER IS A PARTY AT DER TREE'OUSE! IN ONE HOUR! FOOD AN' DRINK FOR EVERYBODY! "
"GET TO DER TREE'OUSE! IN ONE HOUR! FOR DER MAAG PARTY!"
He walks into the building. "Flick! Where are yer darlin'? Come wiv me to der party."
The commoners seem confused initially by Maag’s announcement, but they warm quickly to the idea of free food and drink.
The aging Felicity joins the homely half-orc at the doorway, happy to see her special friend again. “Well yer a big ser-prize today aint ya, sweetie? Whats next, ya gonna tell everyone ya got a fat sack full a goodies fer em too?”
Andronichishche steps outside and closes the door to his rented shack. The sun was hanging low on the western horizon, and although not visible through the jungle canopy it was still illuminating the sky in shades of yellow, orange, and red. Initially intent on visiting the Stronghold to experiment with his new spell on the Fellowship ... for science ... he pauses as he espies the treehouse tavern in the distance.
The previous night while testing the Empathia Cogitatus spell at the base of the tree tavern, he was struck unconsciousness by the presence of an extraordinarily powerful intellect which overwhelmed his magically enhanced senses. Andronichishche had accounted for the other nine minds he detected in the tavern, so at the time he didn't think much more of it, believing an error in the spell caused the anomaly. Viewing the tree from a distance now, he realizes there was one other creature in the immediate vicinity. The tree.
Before arriving on the island, he wouldn't have given this thought any further attention. After encountering the carnivorous trees on the tiny offshore island ... he's not so quick to dismiss the possibility. Besides, now that he thinks about it, how did a tree grow to that size on a sandy beach? He was no druid, to be sure, but the phenomena seemed unnatural to him.
Returning his focus to the task at hand, Andron reconsiders the test subject as he glances at the treehouse again. The two spells share a common function in that they allow one to detect and gauge relative intelligence. Unlike Empathia Cogitatus, however, this new clerical spell targets an individual creature. If what he sensed last night is indeed the tree, his new spell should confirm that. He first had to rule out a malfunction that may have skewed the previous night's test, though ...
Andronichishche almost slaps himself in the head for missing the obvious. Directly across from his shack is the Hi-Lo building. Usually only lady Nallissa is inside, so she would be a perfect practical test. He casually saunters to the north side of the building, avoiding the front door. After checking to ensure he doesn't have a visible audience, he allows his mind to fall into a near trance and casts the Empathia Cogitatus spell.
Casing the Hi-Lo building for a while, the priest is sure the place is void of any customers, so he tries his spell again.
His trance reveals a single creature of exceptional intellect inside.
I will try to peck away at your spell wish list whenever I get the time, to keep some other players engaged.
Lerrick helps Andron with his magical mending spells, steadying the heavy chunks of Cresty in just the right place while the mage bonds them together by the awesome power of Rao.
After a few of these spells are completed, the statue of the former Paladin of the many colored circles has its arms, legs, and a head attached again.
OGRE MAGE wrote: ↑Fri Dec 25, 2020 5:57 pm
Casing the Hi-Lo building for a while, the priest is sure the place is void of any customers, so he tries his spell again.
His trance reveals a single creature of exceptional intellect inside.
Andronichishche
Upon completing his spell, Andronichishche was beset by different emotions. He was obviously relieved that the spell appeared to work as intended. However, it was also confirmed that the treehouse tree may not be entirely as it seems. At the same time, Nallissa was also certainly much more intelligent than she lets on. Definitely more than her own self appraisal would suggest. The island was still keeping true to its mystery, though. Things here tend to be more than what they seem.
With the spell validation completed, Andronichishche makes his way over to the treehouse tavern, already bustling with the usual evening crowd. He stops at the base of the tree again and thoughtfully gazes at its trunk. If it is intelligent, meat doesn't appear to be a staple of its diet. Certainly a pleasant attribute on this island. He slowly walks around the massive trunk, rubbing his chin in thought as he examines the bark, giving him an excuse to delay what he was planning next.
If the tree is intelligent and to the degree he detected last night, it betrayed no obvious hints. Andronichishche heaves a sigh of resignation and mentally reviews his new spell. No use in delaying any further. Besides, the spell operates quite differently than Empathia Cogitatus. He technically shouldn't be knocked unconscious ...
Andron extends his arms, focusing on the base of the tree as he begins incanting the Assay of Reason spell. He opens his hands and positions them as if holding a large sphere. Onto the surface of this invisible, metaphysical sphere should be reflected the pattern of any cognizance detected from the tree.
Quonundrum wrote: ↑Fri Dec 25, 2020 7:28 pmAdmit it. You're doing it for the suspense!
OGRE MAGE wrote: ↑Fri Dec 25, 2020 5:57 pm
Casing the Hi-Lo building for a while, the priest is sure the place is void of any customers, so he tries his spell again.
His trance reveals a single creature of exceptional intellect inside.
Andronichishche
Upon completing his spell, Andronichishche was beset by different emotions. He was obviously relieved that the spell appeared to work as intended. However, it was also confirmed that the treehouse tree may not be entirely as it seems. At the same time, Nallissa was also certainly much more intelligent than she lets on. Definitely more than her own self appraisal would suggest. The island was still keeping true to its mystery, though. Things here tend to be more than what they seem.
With the spell validation completed, Andronichishche makes his way over to the treehouse tavern, already bustling with the usual evening crowd. He stops at the base of the tree again and thoughtfully gazes at its trunk. If it is intelligent, meat doesn't appear to be a staple of its diet. Certainly a pleasant attribute on this island. He slowly walks around the massive trunk, rubbing his chin in thought as he examines the bark, giving him an excuse to delay what he was planning next.
If the tree is intelligent and to the degree he detected last night, it betrayed no obvious hints. Andronichishche heaves a sigh of resignation and mentally reviews his new spell. No use in delaying any further. Besides, the spell operates quite differently than Empathia Cogitatus. He technically shouldn't be knocked unconscious ...
Andron extends his arms, focusing on the base of the tree as he begins incanting the Assay of Reason spell. He opens his hands and positions them as if holding a large sphere. Onto the surface of this invisible, metaphysical sphere should be reflected the pattern of any cognizance detected from the tree.
Though he is no master of nature himself, Andron knows full well that this huge tree probably shouldn’t be growing this big, this close to the waters edge, and in such nutrient depleted soil. Looking at the toppling stone tower nearby, the shifting sands clearly causing much destruction to its teetering foundation, he wonders why the same thing hasn’t happened here.
Attempting his new magic to gauge the massive trees cognition, again the priest of Rao comes up with nothing. He receives no indication from his spell that would indicate this tree is anything but a normal tree.
After two full days of rigorous spell research and tests, Andronichishche was beginning to feel a significant degree of mental fatigue. An unsatiated drive to compound on his recent work, or sheer mule headed stubborness though, pushed him to continue with one more psionitropic spell. So it was then on the last day of Goodmonth, Andron again woke at dawn and reviewed his collected notes on psionitropic magic and their applicability to a new spell that will allow him to directly manipulate the environment with his mind.
From his initial research into psionitropic magic, the arcane matrix that is integral to its operation interfaces with the brain in one unusual aspect. As his brain does not innately possess psionic ability, the data it receives from the matrix is interpreted in part by the physical senses. This is a byproduct of the translation process from the psionitropic matrix to the brain, which can result in visual or audial artifacts. However, in theory, it should therefore be possible to more easily project mental thought into an external psionic effect via sensory expression.
Andronichishche was quite familiar with the basic motive forces conjured for use in such spells as Jump, Push, and Unseen Servant. It is these elementary forces that he theorized could be projected via psionitropic constructs mimicking hands through the sensory processing centers of the brain. His initial tests were surprisingly fruitful and yielded promising results, as he could lift and move very light objects several feet. The problem was that it felt like he was wearing several layers of thick mittens on these "hands". Independent motion of the telekinetic "fingers" was extremely difficult.
It was only after several hours of testing different matrices that he stumbled on the solution, purely on a whim. Instead of manifesting a telekinetic "hand" as a whole unit, it was counterintuitively more efficient to manifest and control each "finger" separately. In fact, the manual dexterity was equivalent to using his real hands, and even more surprising, he had full sensory touch, including texture, pressure, and temperature! Although in the latter case, as the heat from a candle's flame could be felt, there was no pain or injury.
It was well after sunset when Andronichishche believed he had devised a spell pattern stable enough for a full casting test. The problem now was identifying a suitable ... and ethical ... scenario that can sufficiently test the limits and extent of the spell's capabilities.
OGRE MAGE wrote: ↑Fri Dec 25, 2020 5:57 pm
Though he is no master of nature himself, Andron knows full well that this huge tree probably shouldn’t be growing this big, this close to the waters edge, and in such nutrient depleted soil. Looking at the toppling stone tower nearby, the shifting sands clearly causing much destruction to its teetering foundation, he wonders why the same thing hasn’t happened here.
Attempting his new magic to gauge the massive trees cognition, again the priest of Rao comes up with nothing. He receives no indication from his spell that would indicate this tree is anything but a normal tree.
Andronichishche
The frown on Andronichishche's face was proof to any casual observer that the priest of Rao was not expecting this result. It suggested that whatever he detected the night before is either well hidden or incorporeal. A tree spirit of some kind, perhaps? He stood there for a couple minutes, contemplating the implications.
It certainly didn't seem dangerous, or at least it hasn't harmed anyone, to his knowledge. He was inclined to let sleeping dogs lie though, as it were. The town has enough issues to worry about as is, and he definitely wasn't interested in alarming Randall without more information. He settled on mentioning it to Miss Tlachtga, for her professional opinion.
All of that said, he still had to verify his new spell works properly and a tree, albeit an unusual tree, is not a suitable test subject. A burst of raucous laughter from the treehouse above provided an obvious clue. He decided to simply wait patiently until a sufficiently drunk patron climbs ... or falls ... down the rope ladder. Andron figures the promise of a few coins would make most in this town amenable to the idea.
Quonundrum wrote: ↑Sun Dec 20, 2020 11:33 amAndronichishche 23rd - Morning of the 25th of Goodmonth
After a quick prayer to his deity Rao, Andronichishche procures two medium size pearls from a belt pouch and utters the incantation to the Identify spell. Rotating the pearls about the case, he allows the magic to analyze the solution ...
Lerrick was present assisting Andron at the time when he was identifying the powder.
OGRE MAGE wrote: ↑Fri Dec 25, 2020 5:57 pm
Though he is no master of nature himself, Andron knows full well that this huge tree probably shouldn’t be growing this big, this close to the waters edge, and in such nutrient depleted soil. Looking at the toppling stone tower nearby, the shifting sands clearly causing much destruction to its teetering foundation, he wonders why the same thing hasn’t happened here.
Attempting his new magic to gauge the massive trees cognition, again the priest of Rao comes up with nothing. He receives no indication from his spell that would indicate this tree is anything but a normal tree.
Andronichishche
The frown on Andronichishche's face was proof to any casual observer that the priest of Rao was not expecting this result. It suggested that whatever he detected the night before is either well hidden or incorporeal. A tree spirit of some kind, perhaps? He stood there for a couple minutes, contemplating the implications.
It certainly didn't seem dangerous, or at least it hasn't harmed anyone, to his knowledge. He was inclined to let sleeping dogs lie though, as it were. The town has enough issues to worry about as is, and he definitely wasn't interested in alarming Randall without more information. He settled on mentioning it to Miss Tlachtga, for her professional opinion.
All of that said, he still had to verify his new spell works properly and a tree, albeit an unusual tree, is not a suitable test subject. A burst of raucous laughter from the treehouse above provided an obvious clue. He decided to simply wait patiently until a sufficiently drunk patron climbs ... or falls ... down the rope ladder. Andron figures the promise of a few coins would make most in this town amenable to the idea.
Andron is surprised by his latest revelation, or should I say the lack thereof. He can hear the revelry in the tavern just feet above his head, but they party in the tree must be a good one, because no patrons exit the tavern while he waits patiently to test the accuracy of his latest spell.
Quonundrum wrote: ↑Sun Dec 20, 2020 11:33 amAndronichishche 23rd - Morning of the 25th of Goodmonth
After a quick prayer to his deity Rao, Andronichishche procures two medium size pearls from a belt pouch and utters the incantation to the Identify spell. Rotating the pearls about the case, he allows the magic to analyze the solution ...
Lerrick was present assisting Andron at the time when he was identifying the powder.
This post is for both Andron and Lerrick:
I dont remember just how much was learned about this pink powder already, so please disregard any of this if I have already mentioned it.
With the aid of Lerrick the cleric, Andron carefully mixes the pink powder with the liquid they believe to be Faerie tears. The pink color quickly dissolves into the salty solution as the pearls are consumed in the magic.
Andron gets the distinct impression that this liquid will take effect by simply applying it to any stone the wizard wants to convert into flesh. Sadly, both participants can clearly see that there isnt nearly enough of the juice to cover the entire stony body of the fallen paladin.
