Amdirlain's PoV - Outlands

While waiting for Gilorn and Roher to contact her, Amdirlain's mind raced through options for dealing with Umbas's and Kragashin's situations. She retrieved the songs for both the worlds and their systems when the species started on them, wanting to match every detail.

The Summer Court created the elves on Umbas. They only have enough space to live because of dimensional games being played on the planet.

A translucent orb from Gilorn buzzed by her shoulder. "We're just in the middle of a session with some youths. We'll be about four hours."

"I'll send a crystal to Foundry with songs for two systems. There are planets I want to evacuate inhabitants from, so I'd like to look at creating identical systems to avoid issues with the relocation. Let me know when you and Roher have studied them and have choirs organised to create their biomes, I'll do the system creations."

With the Message dispatched, she delivered the promised crystal to her Foundry and paused at a jagged spike of nerves that bit hard.

Why am I nervous about returning to Qil Tris? Let's calm my nerves first.

Amdirlain retrieved a spatial location for a new star project from Gideon and opened a Gate to the void of space. She used Primordial Will rather than True Song to start a new star. The simple hydrogen atoms drew her attention to the fundamentals of creation and life. She meditated on some of her creations while she cycled her essence to replenish the minor losses from the last barrier crossing. The calm memory of plant life and animals around her helped her apply the techniques to soothe the lines between all the lives she'd blended.

It seems I haven't changed. I still need my alone time, and I dislike being worshipped. My main issue is how to gain insights efficiently, as they've become so erratic and infrequent. Hopefully, I didn't mess myself up by seeking them for so long when I should have healed first.

When her jitters calmed, she set a surveyor near Qil Tris and searched for rifts. The safest one for her use was in the Arctic Circle. Following the rift's theme set her on the Para-Elemental Plane of Ice, and Amdirlain observed the nearby creatures attracted to her body warmth.

"Shoo."

The ice cracked around her as Amdirlain crossed the threshold onto Qil Tris. The gouging force of the rift's unsteady threshold had the local Mana whipping barbs across her skin. With it pulling in different directions, Amdirlain adapted, transforming smoothly into a thousand-limbed being to flow with its resistance. With the initial momentum stolen, she pulled back into Elven form within minimal essence loss. As Mana raced from her location, Amdirlain drained energy from the ley lines, setting up a counter wave that stopped the surge in its tracks. Once stilled, she released what excess Mana she had inhaled in a steady trickle, stabilising the ley line. The brief disruption she'd caused triggered alerts within military bases across the planet.

She spread her attention across the planet and heard the hiss of Eldritch distortion from thousands of sources. She kept up the filtering elements, ensuring it would come through as a low, recognisable hiss. Tweaks to other parts let her identify the surroundings of the Eldritch writing. While most sources of distortion were writing scratched into stones in remote locations, there was a collection of works in affluent houses in two cities. Answers to the questions that had disturbed her during the training to breach Planar barriers surfaced. Notes melted the stones that rippling tendrils and ichor had set with insanity inducing patterns. Her attention moved on, and the infected stopped and blinked mid-conversation, confused at their locations, having had their minds reset to their state before infection.

The worst source wasn't something she could deal with so easily. The density of the distortion under a mountain showed thousands were in hibernation beneath a divine suppression field. Unfortunately, a construction crew was in the area working on a winter holiday resort, and the marked-out works came dangerously close to infected stone. Wanting them to be clear of the place while she considered options, everyone and their gear found themselves at home. Before they collected themselves, she restored the dug-up terrain and eliminated nearby roads, restoring the mountain's rugged landscape.

No wonder my precognition was going nuts. Is that why I never used an Avatar? It would risk Eldritch corruption without the strength to stop it cold.

Amdirlain skipped to a warmer spot and shed the ice and snow that had crusted her clothing. She swept her attention across the changes in the city of Osaphis that she'd called home for six years, noting the glass hexagon plates that had replaced panels in ancient buildings. In contrast, newer structures had the alchemical material only in their inner cores to serve as a Mana transfer system for utilities. Overall, the city supported five times its previous population, having grown northwards around the campus and east towards the township where she'd caught the monorail centuries ago.

Growth at the triumvirate campus was mostly limited to increased height. Though the building shadows were longer, they'd preserved most of the relaxed feel, with gaps between buildings still providing impromptu stages. The Wizard tower on the campus was still the tallest of the three, and Mor'lmes sat in his office on the top floor as the university's Dean. An evolution had rolled up his previous classes into a new species, adding a robust psychology and mental acuity that enhanced his Class gains.

Amdirlain shifted to J's silvery furred form and adopted a red leather outfit that matched Sarah's scales. To top off her eye-catching look, she added a bright yellow backpack of the same hue she'd once used to draw the gazes of Mor'lmes's observation teams. Briefly, she considered breaching the university wards for fun, but after a moment's reflection, she sought a suitable rendezvous point. The shops and cafes she'd once known were all gone, and redevelopment had replaced the structures. Where the music shop once sat was now a skyscraper, but there were a few possibilities in its airy, multi-level entryway.

She isolated a gap among the various building wards and cameras and teleported into place, before heading for the rear doors of her target. At mid-morning, a small crowd cluttered the place. She walked by the first eatery, not liking the greeter's theme, and headed upstairs to one just opening for the pre-lunch time trade. It had soft music over its speakers, a blend of synth-produced orchestral tones, and savoury smells from the kitchen that had her nose and whiskers twitching.

A honey-furred server near the front looked to be preparing a table as the door swung open. Flame droplet charms suspended from her earrings swung wildly as she looked up. "Can I help you?"

Amdirlain met her clear blue gaze with a closed-mouth smile and felt the faith link bridge between them. An awareness of the server, her name, her family, all the hopes and dreams she'd ever uttered in prayer rose within Amdirlain. There were some things she caught about the local circle of faithful An'krin was involved with, but now wasn't the time to start.

"Can I have a booth, An'krin? I'm hoping one or two more will join me."

An'krin glanced down at her name tag, then angled her body and motioned towards the back wall, which was decorated with trophies from the trials' challenges. "You can pick any without a reserved sign."

With a tail wave and an ear twitch of thanks, Amdirlain stepped past and headed directly to the booth furthest from the front door.

"Would you care to meet with me for old times' sake, Dean? Happy for you to bring Wha'sin if she's open to it." The words sounded in Mor'lmes's office, hovering above his desk with an image of the eatery.

If nothing else, my ability to get through his wards without leaving Mana traces should tug his tail.

Mor'lmes teleported directly to the university's front gate, but crossed the road on foot, firing off messages with every step. The first was to Wha'sin, letting her know of Am's arrival and invitation, but a rapid succession of others followed as he cleared his afternoon.

She left him to his arrangements as she located the individuals with the strongest faith links to her within the city. Given the number of priests in her Profile, having dozens of her high priests within the city limits surprised her.

Osaphis was my home city during my stay. Do I try to be subtle again? I bet someone has already begun betting among the aspects.

"No, really, why would they do that?!" Gideon chimed dryly.

How much of a mess is my faith situation here? Though I can't believe I'm even asking that question.

"You could just ask An'krin. I'm sure she could enlighten you."

Hilarious.

When Gideon didn't comment, she casually glanced between the menu on the table and the specials above the counter. She listened to the surrounding minds while maintaining her outward normalcy to reassure the other customers and staff. Though her Charisma wasn't leaking, her act hadn't been entirely successful; she moved with a smooth grace that the people associated with high-level adventurers. The J persona was the more dangerous of the two she'd used during her first trip on Qil Tris, and she'd fallen back into the role automatically when she'd taken the form. Amdirlain took in the city one block at a time, relaxing into its ebb and flow even as she continued to monitor Mor'lmes's progress.

By the time he reached the sidewalk, he had finished sending messages and sped up upon entering the building.

He was soon visible through the eatery's front window.

Without his previous scars and with his ear restored, Mor'lmes looked younger than she remembered. His fur, greyed prematurely from the grave assault that had gained him a Tier 7 Prestige Class, had been fully restored to a consistent steel blue colouration. He still wore the same type of muted green half robes, though she'd spotted no one in the city wearing a similar style. When he stepped through the doorway with his attention already locked onto Amdirlain, An'krin didn't move to greet him.

He's not one of the faithful, so I'm not sure what I want to share with him. I might keep him off balance, but no violence this time.

Mor'lmes stopped by the booth seat across from her. "Hello, Am, I wasn't expecting to see you again."

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"Hello Mor'lmes. I wasn't expecting to be back. I hope you've time to join me for a drink or an early lunch?"

His ears twitched up, but he slid into the booth before answering. "I had an early start, so a break for lunch works."

Amdirlain set a privacy ward to mask the table's conversation before she spoke further. "How is your pride?"

A tinge of grief muted his theme, yet he merely nodded politely. "Good, but much has changed since we last spoke. Wha'sin is in a meeting but will join us shortly."

Do I steer clear of family topics? Did their girls not inherit the magical talent, or did they not gain a Life Affinity? Neither of which is any business of mine.

She reached across to twitch his sleeve. "Do you have the robes custom-made now? No one else in the city is wearing them."

"I know a few spells," Mor'lmes said, pausing. "Was that a conversation piece, or do you know what everyone else is wearing?"

"What answer would you prefer?"

"Did you establish the privacy screen you used to use?"

Amdirlain's ears perked up. "Who me? Would I be paranoid enough to take precautions?"

"There's no need to be like that," Mor'lmes slid further across the seat to allow space for Wha'sin.

"How have you been? Does the top job put a crimp in what you want to do?"

"I still teach, but I report to fewer people about the content of my courses. Are you still saving worlds from the Eldritch?"

"Threats to people come in many shapes and sizes."

"How is it you're here?"

"Your mate will probably want to know, so why don't we hold off the questions about me until she arrives?" Amdirlain glanced at the slowly thickening crowd strolling between the shops. "How do you feel the trials are working out?"

"Some people are concerned they're working too well. Much of the economy is involved with the adventurers, or delvers, depending on your preferred term." Mor'lmes tilted his head towards the university. "Over the centuries, there's been a steady increase in students enrolling in practical magic classes, especially those focusing on combat spells, even if it's outside the focus of their primary degree."

"Are they looking to cover course costs via delving instead of through scholarships?"

"Yes, and it's lessened some of the patron's influence."

"No longer have to suck up to the patrons for scholarships. How tragic. Are the patron families upset by the trend, or do they not care since their city is bigger?"

"A city with more people brings in more revenue, but it's not just this city. Lots have grown, yet the territorial conflict is down."

Amdirlain twitched an ear curiously, but didn't interrupt.

"You put things in place to encourage cooperation, but that might come back to bite you."

"What's the issue?"

"Lines are being drawn between those cities that don't allow priests and the few that do," Mor'lmes said.

"Why did this city allow priests?"

"Let me ask you a question. Did you intend for my observers to end up promoting belief in you?"

"I was here for the Eldritch, not to gain a Mantle. I'd already set one aside and blocked other attempts to give me one. Are you aware of the power shift among the priests focused on me?"

"I've heard rumours they've gained access to more blessings in the last couple of years."

"That's because until recently, I wasn't in much of a state to pay attention to their requests. That's changed."

"And if people started attacking your followers?"

Amdirlain's ears flattened out. "I think we're returning to questions I should answer once Wha'sin is here."

"Would you retaliate?" Mor'lmes persisted.

"I'd get creative," Amdirlain snorted. "Either that or I'd give people some pointers."

"Pointers? Like the Ki practitioners in some trial havens?"

"I'm out of practice, so I'd be clumsier than I once was. Who knows how many bones I might break? That's the stick. The sweetener is that my priests still haven't figured out some of the Blessing paths, so I'll have a chat with them."

"How is making them more dangerous a sweetener?"

"They can bring mauled people back from the dead now. Indeed, the strongest could outdo that rod of resurrection I gave you. They've just not explored the related path."

Mor'lmes blinked.

"So, how has the weather been? Getting a little too cold for your old bones?"

"If you want to stick to chit-chat, I'd rather discuss arcane theory."

"We can do that," Amdirlain agreed cheerfully.

They ordered drinks while they waited.

♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫

Wha'sin arrival was visible through the eatery's front window. That, and her formal law keeper uniform with rank bars and full decorations, caused some passersby to jump.

"Shortly indeed." Amdirlain flicked an ear towards the window. "Looks to have been a nice, informal meeting."

Mor'lmes snorted. "An advantage of being a law keeper is access to all building wards. I probably could have done the same without the ward keys, but someone might have reported it."

"Then the university board would have made a fuss?"

"The name brought into disrepute, the shame," Mor'lmes replied dryly.

A murmur from the staff and customers greeted Wha'sin's entrance. Though she acknowledged them, she didn't slow her pace and soon slipped into the spot Mor'lmes had made for her.

"Good morning, High Marshall Wha'sin. You've come up in the world."

Wha'sin reached forward and clasped Amdirlain's hand. "I'm surprised to see you, especially after what you shared about mantles and deities."

"I'm a Primordial, not a deity."

"Primordial like the Affinity?"

"It's a term used in various ways beyond the Affinity; context matters."

"How it applies in your context isn't something you'll explain?"

"I go straight into explanations when inclined to offer information. Speaking of something else, you're all sparkly," Amdirlain nodded to the decorations covering the left side of her uniform.

"They keep finding reasons to pin more medals on me to show the patrons' appreciation."

"They're cheaper than a pay rise," Mor'lmes drawled.

"Neither pay nor medals are important," Wha'sin countered. "We both could make fortunes in the trials if we wanted material things."

A cover of one of Am's songs started at low volume over the eatery's sound system; its intro was enough for her to identify it. The singer had a sultry voice that she used to excellent effect, getting lots of mileage from the innuendos.

"They're still covering those songs?"

"That's not a recent cover. Our eldest was a huge fan of your music," Mor'lmes offered sadly.

"The problem with people recognising me," Wha'sin said, "I'm the public face between the two of us, and our family history is common knowledge."

Amdirlain picked up her cup and offered a toast. "To absent loved ones, may the memories of them never leave our hearts."

He nodded mutely. "They were our treasures. The pain fades, but it never leaves."

"We share memories of the happy times frequently to keep the girls alive in our hearts," Wha'sin clinked her cup against Amdirlain's.

"So you kept Mor'lmes continually outnumbered?"

Wha'sin laughed tightly. "It's the only way to deal with him safely."

"Yes, seven girls in total. Though it's been centuries since we had any cubs around who we couldn't give back, I remember how they wrapped me around their little fingers," Mor'lmes sighed. "Can we order some food so there won't be interruptions? "

"We're getting food?"

"We should compensate them for using their table," Amdirlain noted.

"You're planning to leave as soon as we're done eating," Wha'sin huffed.

"Perhaps not immediately. We can decide where we will meet next. I have some issues to tend to."

With a grin, Amdirlain waved to catch An'krin's attention, and let the pair order a big lunch each, before she added her modest order. "Grilled fish with white sauce."

When An'krin left with the menus, Wha'sin leaned forward. "You once told us deities couldn't come to a planet except as a much weaker Avatar, but there is more strength about you now. How are you here?"

"I'm a Primordial, a being beyond a mantle holder or deity. The Planar Barrier means that either of those can, at best, send a weakened Avatar. However, a Primordial can go anywhere that doesn't repel their natures. Since my natures are fine with the Material Plane, here I am."

I'm not telling them about the care needed to avoid destroying the planet's weather patterns or causing massive ley lines surges.

"Yet you've not come back before now?"

"Are you my event planner? Concert tour schedules were always so tightly booked." Amdirlain rolled her eyes before she locked gazes with Wha'sin. "In all seriousness, I had no control over my time for most of it. Just because I'm powerful compared to some doesn't mean there aren't more powerful beings out there. Even after my time was my own again, I needed to handle some things. I recently had a bad feeling about the Eldritch issues here, and there are indeed issues I need to address."

"Can we help with any of it?"

"I'm better at detecting them now, so most of it's dealt with already, and I've cleaned the minds of those they'd influenced back to their pre-infected state."

"How young are they?" Mor'lmes groaned.

"No, they're the same age, though some lost a few years of memories. I've gotten more skilled at dealing with time, so I wiped their minds completely and then did a restore at a safe time point. However, there is a mountain I will have to erase before I leave."

Mor'lmes massaged his forehead. "Centuries of nothing, and you found people and an infected mountain. How long have you been on the planet?"

"I got here this morning." Amdirlain projected a list of affected individuals. "After I finish my errands, will you help me get a ride to the moon? I always wanted to fly in a spaceship."

"They don't launch from here," Mor'lmes replied. "And you'll need valid identification."

A team of heavily equipped officers appeared on the mountain, and Amdirlain immediately teleported them home and placed a spatial barrier to cover it.

Now I'm a cat wrangler.

"I know the timeline of events, but not all the details. Why did this city put up with the cults developing?"

"Before your first priests showed up in the trials, the dwarves had contacted various cities. Servants of the dwarven Pantheon differed from our record of our old priests' behaviour. The records of your and Kadaklan's impossible healings ensured the city extended the benefit of the doubt."

Wha'sin smiled. "And Mor'lmes's observers made historical recordings available of your time here."

"What?"

They couldn't record caster images before Sarah gave them the magi-tech.

"It was a recording of an illusion generated from mental projections of you fighting the Eldritch and the aura of flame you used to kill it," Mor'lmes grumbled. "Since it was only as clear as the observer's recollection, the Eldritch in the projection lacked its mind-warping effects. To those in this city, combined with your other messages, it showed that you'd been here defending them. Others argued it was all a trick of memory you had created since you'd shown you could play with memories."

"None of us wanted anyone worshipping us."

"Your flames, are they from the Primordial Affinity? Is there a relationship of some kind with your new state?" Curiosity sparked in Mor'lmes's gaze.

He is persistent as ever.

"Well, there are differing schools of thought on the naming but‌ it's context specific. In some languages, there are completely different words for them."

"What is the principal difference between a Deity and your state?"

Amdirlain relaxed in her seat. "I'll give you that tidbit. Deities refine faith provided by mortals, while primordials refine themselves and their natures. What has been the political shift around faiths?"

"Quick conversational shifts are a well-known interrogation technique."

"Yes." Amdirlain smiled broadly.

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