Drexia's Journal-excerpts

[ycleption]

More on Ki

I was sitting, listening to Ozymandias tell stories the other day, when the discussion turned to the nature of Ki. I was quite surprised to hear that Jennara say that she was not a monk, and had never heard of Ki... The former was not particularly surprising, (the title of monk is something that I have always felt was fairly meaningless; it's just a word, it does not change who we are or what we do, it makes life simpler only if in communicating what we do to others. We must always define the word, not let the word attain a narrow meaning, which allows it to define and control us). The latter, however, was quite disappointing: many people have told me that Jennara was the greatest monk the land has known in a long time, and I had always hoped to be able to learn more of Ki from her.
Ozymandias replied that she did, in fact, use Ki, but learned unconsciously, much in the manner of sorcerers as opposed to wizards (I'm not really sure what the distinction is there, but I'll take his word on it). She claimed she learned her martial skills from watching animals, and I would be interested in hearing about this. Does this mean that animals can channel Ki as well, or simply that nature movements awakened the ability to channel Ki? I think the latter is far more likely, after all many forms, paths and movements are named after animals or animal movements. Surely, at some point, there must have been a progenitor of the path, and perhaps that person also learned to channel Ki by imitating nature, its strength and its power. In the monastery where I trained, every young monk learned to meditate before even the simplest blocking and punching, and often meditation focused on images from nature. However, without careful instruction, I don't know that I would have ever learned awareness of the energy inside of me, let alone how to channel it. Perhaps after that point, I could have taught myself without the assistance of my master, but it would have been very difficult. Without his instruction about how to identify my weaknesses, how to train, how to learn, how to strengthen my mind, my progress would have been very slow indeed. Perhaps, rather than being disappointed with Jennara's ignorance of what I consider the key points of the path, I should be impressed with her ability to master herself without being taught; perhaps I should simply try to watch her and see what I can learn from her, perhaps not necessarily about Ki, but certainly about the mechanics of fighting, and maybe about other things as well.

Much though I respect his knowledge, Ozymandias claimed that Ki was simply the weave turned inward, which makes little sense; I have little doubt of his knowledge of magic things, but I doubt he knows quite as much about Ki as he claims, although he said he intended to conduct a study of those of us who use at some point. I have had the weave used upon me many times, and never felt Ki in it, so I am certain he must be wrong on this point. Storold once mentioned to me that there are places in the world where the weave is torn, and does not function. Sometime I should venture to such a place, to see whether Ozymandias' claim has any merit. I suppose it might be possible that Ki interacts with the weave in some way that would explain his confusion about the matter, and it would be interesting to test.

[ycleption]

Adventuring Notes

A most worrisome development has occurred in the redlight caves. Although always a haven for goblins, it appears that undead (and powerful ones at that) have also been dwelling in the caves.
I was traveling in the caves, killing goblins as usual, I came across one of the stronger varieties, which I had a good deal of trouble with. We traded blow for blow for a while, and just as the tide of the battle took a turn for the worse, Tariana, Rose, and someone named Shalar, who needed help returning to her gravesite. Suddenly, undead appeared in our midst, we were able to defeat them, but it was not easy... A dead thing with a particularly fearsome aspect rose up in front of us... With a fallen comrade in tow, and quite frankly fearful of the thing and doubtful of our chances against it (and rightly so I believe, I learned later it is something called a "lich" and one of the more formidable undead around), we made a hasty retreat, staving off a few more creatures on our way out. As we left, strange red clouds billowed out of the cave.
After some discussion, I made my way into Hlint, to inform Capitan Alicia, and urge extra guards be posted, (the thought of the creatures we faced attacking the villagers prompted me to take this course of action without delay) while the others went to consult with the priests at the temple of Toran. I made my way to meet with the others. While I was there, however, some weave effect (I assume), pulled us away, and we were unable to regroup and mount a more forceful expedition.

I mentioned the episode to Mylindra and Tyrian, who agreed that we should look into the affair. Tariana, the paladin Regidor, and a gambler named Dareth joined us. All seemed normal, until we reached near the deepest part of the cave, where the red lights shine. A variety of foul things awaited us there. We were able do defeat them without sustaining too much damage, and I thought we were fine, until I was hit by some tenebrous necromancy. The next thing I knew, Mylindra was standing over me, looking concerned. I slowly stood up and we began to leave... Dareth, the fool, rushed back to try and open a chest that stood in the redlight room. Some strange rocks mystically appeared, trapping half of our group inside. Somehow, someone destroyed them, and we once more tried to depart. Dareth was still whining about the treasures that could be lurking inside the chest, the presumable key to which I had in my bags. I did not mention this to him of course, as I did not want him to fly back inward, either to his death, or to the endangerment of the rest of us. And, quite frankly, as I told him later, I was too busy trying to stand to be able to search through my things to find the key. I switched to my bow, and tried to support the rest of the group as best I could, tossing healing potions at the others from the rear of the group.
Eventually, we got to the large room just below the passage to the second level, where the lich appeared in front of us. I had thought it best to attempt to evade it, but someone attacked, and then everyone else followed, at which point there was no turning back, and I summoned what little strength I had left, and rushed into the fray. Despite my condition, I was able to land a few blows on the thing, as did we all I think, but it was Mylindra's power that destroyed the creature.  After resting, we fought our way out, only encountering the normal goblin denizens of the place. I went to inform both Hlint and Llast of what had transpired, although cautioned them that the threat may not be completely over.

Peanut and I went to Krashin today, and I was finally able to gather enough [unnamed cnr] to complete a project. The air is frigid up there, and I think we spent more time sitting in front of a fire than exploring. Still, we were able to see a good deal. Peanut and I fight well together, we have a certain synergy of attack, and I think we survived a few battles where combatants of equal ability, but less unity might have fallen. It was good training, perhaps someday, I shall return.

[ycleption]

Musings

I have been hired by a rich eccentric wizard, who wishes some tasks performed... he has set up teams to compete, supposedly in the belief that competition will get the most out of his true. The first task involves hunting a purple worm. We will regather later, and set out to hunt the creature.

Yesterday, a small task (finding proof to refute claims of a man's infidelity) took me, of all places, to a brothel in Mariner's Hold. I did not set foot inside, but through the door, and saw quite a deal... I was most struck, however, by the young children, presumably the children of the workers, running around the building. I wonder how many of them will have options in life outside of that building... I am sure that they are trained for either their mothers' career, or working as a guard, or cook, etc... perhaps the boys are more easily able to escape, and the life of working security in such a place cannot be as bad as the life the girls must look forward to.

Seeing this has renewed in me the desire to take up my project, of a school for young women. I have been thinking about this a great deal, and wish to at least get the basic idea down on paper. The basic idea is to teach young women marketable trades, and self-defense, so that they can grow to be self-reliant, and not forced to work on the streets, or be dependent on others. There are plenty of orphanages, but I think there are fewer organizations that serve a slightly older population, and definitely a dearth of groups that teach young women how to defend themselves; something I feel very strongly should be mandatory for anyone who wants to be a part of my school. Becoming able to stand up to others physically is an important step towards self-reliance. Each student will have to choose a trade. I would teach tailoring, of course, and others could teach various trades; cooking, pottery, carpentry, masonry, lapidary work,  hunting and fishing, coopery, smithing, scribing and bookbinding, etc.. I don't know if I can find enough altruistic craftspeople of sufficient skill to teach, but if I have to start with just a few trades, I will. My vision is a building with two rooms: one, open to all young women who need a place to sleep, composed of rows of bunk-beds, and a couple of fireplaces (since all the students would have martial training, I don't foresee intruders being a problem). The other room, would be a well-stocked craft-hall, open only to those enrolled in the school and the teachers. Possibly, a courtyard as well, for any trades that need to take place outside. Hopefully, all the needs of the girls would be provided by their own labor, and any extra could be sold to provide extra income for the school.
I really am unsure about how to go about starting this project, nor how much it would cost, but I will look into it soon. I have a good deal of true saved up, and I think it is time I started doing some work with it.

[ycleption]

This is a heavily edited log of an event that exists nowhere in Drexia's writing, as she thinks it highly unwise to commit such things to paper, but I want it to be in her CDT. I took liberties while editing, rearranging some dialog for drama and clarity, and cutting out large portions, both for dramatic purposes, and because this is Drexia's CDT:I want to highlight her role in this. I'm not trying to diminish others' contributions in this, just trying to focus on my own character.

Githyanki Leader: *looks back to Drexia* *loudly, as if talking to someone else* Give it to this one.
*she smooths back her thick felted braids*
Drexia Faison: Me?
Githyanki Leader: You
Malor Lucredious: *laughs* yeah Drex Blow us up.
Krysthalien: **shrugs and hands drexia the box*
Drexia Faison: *takes the box*
Drexia Faison: Is there something I am supposed to do with it?
Clover :  no better person to have it *smiiles* She is very wise
Githyanki Leader: *looks between Krys and Drexia for a moment* I don't know.
Krysthalien :**quietly regards the Gith inquisitively*
ithyanki Leader: I might be mistaken...but.. one of you two has the seed.
Krysthalien : 'n wot ye mean b'tha, miss?
Rrakkma Master: *she frowns darkly* I will be watching
Clarissa : The monks you mean?
Rrakkma Master: And I will be watching THAT *points to the device drexia holds*
Drexia Faison:**nods to the Rrakkma master* I would expect no less
Rrakkma Master: *she steps into the beam and disappears*
Malor Lucredious: Theres a diffrence between seed and psionics Clair
Krysthalien :  Seed **looks back to the box, pondering*
Malor Lucredious:  like a person could have the gift for magic but if they dont culture it it wont blossom into Magedom.
Clarissa :  Yes please explain what you expect them to do?
Githyanki Leader: *shrugs* I was born with the ability, I've no idea how someone develops it. Besides, I'm a warrior, I don't focus on my power
Malor Lucredious: practice and focus i guess under the tutalidge of a psionicist.
Clarissa :  Maybe try concentrating on the box like when you meditate
Drexia Faison:  *frowns* I wouldn't want to activate the device accidentally...
Githyanki Leader: *shrugs* I don't think you could even if you tried. It requires quite a bit of focus. Activating anything, especially on that scale.
Drexia Faison:**nods* That is at least somewhat reassuring.
Githyanki Leader: I don't think it powers itself anyway. I'd guess it channels power
Krysthalien : **looks back to the cube for a moment then to the gith* if ye have an interest in accessin this, who amongst ye could test 'n train us?
Githyanki Leader: I still need to get back to my people... for now... I'm stranded here... And I'm certainly not asking THEM for help *gestures to where the Githzerai were*
Clarissa : What do you need to get back?
Githyanki Leader: I can go myself... I've just been weak
Clarissa : *nods*
Githyanki Leader: Well, try it.. *Gestures to Drexia* Try... something with it.
Drexia Faison: *closes her eyes and focuses*

She meditates, sending her mental energies through the cube, in the same way she

would send energy through her fist when she punches*

Coyote : You feel something! You've touched it!

Drexia Faison: *her breath catches for a split second*

Coyote : Everyone who rolled higher than 15 on their spellcraft (i.e. everyone who rollled) Feels the cube swell and pulse in the weave for a spilt second
Kalin Sundar: *grins*
Malor Lucredious: *watches the cube* Keep going.
Clover : Hmmmm interesting
Kalin Sundar: Keep trying
Krysthalien : **looks to drexia concerned but keeps quiet*

*Drexia mentally prods the cube, very cautiously, increasing little by little

Coyote : *the cube's ripple against the weave grows steady and small... very very small ripples outward*
Coyote : Suddenly the cube flashes blindingly to those who are watching it intently through the weave or ki, those who can't see it except with their eyes are unaffected.

*Swirly lights and fog; Illithid and unber hulks and things appear from all around. After some fighting, they are killed or driven back from where they came.

The swirliness dissipates. Then, blue light shines down, and a particularly menacing illithid steps out.

Tialle Dianesis: Uhm.. *she takes a few steps away from the light*

The Inhabitor: *a voice booms out inside your heads... it is accutely uncomfortable* Give it to me.

Drexia Faison:  *stands up straight* No.
The Inhabitor: *faces straight at Drexia* Give it to me.
Drexia Faison: I will not make bargains with you.
Kalin Sundar: *scoffs*
Nyeaeana Irylanam:yah right
Githyanki Leader: Why are we even listening!
 Malor Lucredious: Leave or face the fate of your breatheren *points to the litter of dead*
Clover: You're about to bite off more than you can chew, cur.
*with that, they charge the creature, and despite the psionic attacks, they manage to dispatch their foe.

Githyanki Leader: *Frowns*
Tialle Dianesis: It's gone.. now worries, right?
Clarissa :Portals closed anyway it seems.
Githyanki Leader: Be careful with that... *points to drexia*
Drexia Faison: **shakes head* clearly they are aware of this cube now.... and clearly it is no toy.
Githyanki Leader: Lets move. They know we WERE here
 Drexia Faison:  **nods*
Githyanki Leader: And as long as we're still here... they know where we are.

*they move away, to a safe location.

Clarissa : Is the box still on or whatever?
Githyanki Leader: Didn't you hear the scream? Thats what they heard, and why they
came. They may have other ways to find you..  now that they know who has it... But as long as it doesn't let off that... flash again, They won't be able to find it so easily.
Drexia Faison: I assure you, I won't be randomly expiramenting with this.
Githyanki Leader: I'm going to return to my people. I have some questions that demand answers. You *turns to Drexia* Keep it secret. Keep it safe. I'll be back.
Drexia Faison: **nods solemnly* I will.
Malor Lucredious: Its up to Drexia to find out how to use the box

[ycleption]

*two pages of Drexia's journal are left blank, and pressed in-between them is a yellow chrysanthemum*

[ycleption]

**on the page opposite is a map showing a path through the mountains of madness*

Well... we made it back alive.
My face is pale from the lack of sunlight over the.... however long we were in the mountains. I haven't written for a while, every time there was enough light to write, I worked on the map. I'll have to go check what the date is when I get to Fort of Kings... I'll meet a few people there to carry the word of what happened. I still am having trouble believing what we saw... I think he knew we were there the entire time. The patrol that ran across us couldn't have been accidental... Why would a patrol be wandering into a giant cave? I just wonder if they were sent to kill us, or as a warning, with the knowledge that they would fall against us.
Needless to say, we were not successful at being unseen, and we also failed at some of our secondary goals... and yet in some sense we discovered far more than we had anticipated. The fact that Milara didn't kill us, but gave us quite a bit of attention says a lot... I'm sure he wanted us to know that he and Selian were allies, or else why would she have been there? The whole encounter seemed calculated, staged... the visions of scorpions before we got there, the way the dark elves closed in around us as we left. So how much truth is there to what he said? His apparent struggle with the cloud seemed genuine, but was it? Perhaps there was a grain of truth, even if it wasn't the whole truth. I know Jennara does not use the Al'Noth, but she seemed to think that the ritual could have been part of the cause of the clouds, even if it was more Milara's interference than the ritual itself. And what was the shodowy ball? Was it actually a Lumbral, or just something Milara staged to make us wonder?
I'll have to meditate on the encounter, and ask others who may have more experience with this kind of thing.... I wish Lalaith had been able to make it, but perhaps when we meet again she'll be there and can shed some light on the whole affair.

//yikes it's been a long time since I've posted here... just a note to anyone reading this, Drexia writes in at least once a week, if not every day. I on the other hand, don't have her discipline.

[ycleption]

Well, it seems I still have a bit of skill at negotiating left over from back in those days trying to help my fellow orphans decide who got which chores... this time, the stakes were much higher. Although we had been sent to propose an alliance to the Misted Village, we first had to speak with the officials in Dalanthar to know what we were permitted to offer the bandits... they were distinctly reluctant to concede much, and even refused to send tokens as gifts to show they were in earnest... I can understand why Dalanthar would have reason to dislike the bandits... after all, I have participated in punitive raids in Misted Village myself, to keep them in check. Still, I honestly did not feel terribly confident going in, with the meager bargaining tools we were given, and with the obvious bad blood between the two parties. When we got there, we were met by quite a force. After convincing them that we were not another raiding party, we were led through the village. It was eerily quiet, they obviously had us surrounded with quite a force, but did not make a sound or show much of themselves. Finally, our group was split into three, and each of us spoke with one of their leaders. I'm not sure if they have some sort of tripartite rulership, or if those we met were simply subordinates to a true leader. I rather suspect the latter, but who knows? The one I spoke with was a large half-orc. Initially, he furiously accused of us duplicity, then walked straight up to me, and punched me. I did not yield or flinch away from the blow, which was evidently the correct response, as he was suddenly willing to listen after that point. I made the pitch, as directly and straightforwardly as I could. He didn't seem particularly impressed with our offer, but all three groups came back, we were told they were accepting, and not only that, but we were given a cryptic riddle which led us to discover a tomb, where we met the spirit of a dwarf, who Abi spoke with (since she speaks dwarven), and who gave us a runic scroll of some kind...
I hope the alliance we arranged lasts. Given the obvious antipathy the two parties have towards one another, I have a hard time believing they will remain allies past the point where they have dealt with  the immediate threat, even if the talks do go ideally. if Dalathar is false, I will try to ensure that they make recompense, but if the bandits fall back to their old ways, the task of dealing with them must fall to another: as a condition to even go to the bargaining table, I swore I would never again set foot in the Misted Village.

[ycleption]

The time I spent away from battle has been very productive. After years of meditating, strengthening my mind, I am so close I can taste it, to achieving the perfect purity of mind my master spoke of... I have built the foundation through meditation of holding my mind apart from all that wishes to harm it, and when I sit alone and focus, I am able to do it correctly. Now I just need to practice enough to be able to slip into that frame of mind in the middle of combat, and maintain it. It is a tricky thing, embracing many things at once: letting hostility wash over me like water, keeping my focus with the purity of a burning flame, and simultaneously letting my mind evade attacks like the wind, but holding firm against them as a mountain... and above all, trusting in myself, being aware of my own consciousness.

Little by little I'm gaining mastery of the technique. A few times, I've reflexively slipped into the mode during battle, I just can't do it consistently. Perhaps if I practice against something that uses mind attacks, I'll be able to perfect the technique.

[ycleption]

I had an interesting discussion with Jennara the other day (she accepted the gift I made for her very graciously) - she was speaking about how she tries to say hello to things that most people don't speak to or thank. I mentioned that some derive more pleasure from being listened to than speaking, which brought up the idea, that I have been dwelling on lately, of which is a better exercise of one's time to speak and teach, or listen and learn... is it the greater pursuit to better oneself, or to seek to help better others? Possibly the best answer to the question is that one should focus on bettering oneself until one has reached sufficient knowledge and experience that others can actually benefit. But how does one judge when one has crossed that line, with regard to a particular area? When has one attained enough knowledge and experience that failure to share with others is selfishness? And when is one still too inexperienced, such that trying to teach others is hubris (and quite possibly detrimental, since a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing)? And given that no one is completely ignorant, nor omniscient, I feel this is not merely a philisophical discussion. Jennara suggested that there wasn't a clear line between the two - which might be true, but doesn't really help those of us trying to decide whether to start substantial undertakings...

[ycleption]

Heat Milk, but not to scalding.
Slowly dissolve honey in mixture, and keep at a constant heat, while stirring.
Add dried aloe leaves,
Let cool overnight.
Reheat mixture, and add birch back, and decoct for several hours.
Let cool overnight.
Heat back, bring to boil, and immediately add powder of Illithid tentacle.
Mixture will froth and then die down; once it does do, remove from heat, while continuing to stir.
Add flavoring.
Dose is one cupful.