Martial Arts, Potions & Crystals (Anheim's Tale).

Recently met my internal requirements of having '2nd Dan' black belt.

... i did not announce it still, still wearing a simple black belt - without extra golden pagons.

... when enemies underestimate me, i'll have advantage - that's why.


... what should i do to advance myself to '3rd Dan'?

... the most important ability to learn is 'Diamond Soul', secret inner practices that can help one to protect against spells.

... perhaps Chea will find time for me, to practice this ability with her.

... should practice with exotic weapons as Katana Sword, Kukri and Kamas, as well.


Martial Arts training is harsh, certain practicioners aren't nice, aren't mature enough, aren't responsible enough considering power they have, and wield.


During combat, one fatigues very fast - as if our Teachers demanded from us superhuman strength, wisdom, dexterity etc.

... but perhaps it's planned that way.

Spirituality of Martial Arts is to not engage in combat when not neccessary ... and when neccessary, one can spend coins on Potions & Spell Crystals.


With Chea's help, i've studied some theories and spells descriptions - not only Arcane spells, also Divine & Druidic Spells.

Most useful ones are:
- Divine Power,
- Haste,
- Improved Invisibility ... but also Invisibility,
- Freedom of Movement,
- Death Ward,
- Cat's Grace,
- Owl's Wisdom,
- Bull's Strength,
- Protection from Elements ... but also Endure Elements.
- ...


... i think i should start preparing for times when serious combat is needed - collecting potions and spell crystals that hold these spells.

... also, with Divine Power and Haste ... fighting with my Bo Staff or Katana Sword may be efficient as well.

... some kind of strength potion or item also helps.

-=- Bo Staff with Power of Coral. -=-		-=- a Well-made Steel Katana. -=-
-=- a Spell Crystal with 'Haste' spell.		-=- a 'Divine Power' Potion. -=-
-=- Ring of Battlefury. -=- -=- Causes Barbarian Rage. -=-		-=- Potions of Bull's Strength. -=-

P.S. i should also arm myself with two Kamas, and/or enchant my well-made Steel Katana sword - as these are slashing weapons.

... certain monsters - as zombies for example - are immune or nearly immune to fists and staves as these cause bludgeoning damage, and knives causing piercing damage.

Bags of Holding.

-=- Evra's Shop - Outside. -=-


Dear Journal,

Two things fall under the same subject this time.

... first, i've found a 'Bag of Holding', a magical item allowing to carry great weights ... probably the bag is key to a pocket plane.

... second, a new service opened in Peltarch - a 'shop' with items storage, also named 'Bag of Holding Storage' - it is run by old woman named Evra Lane.

Before i've had to mix my items with other people's at Cerulean HQ's chests.

... now i can keep my excess equipment stored safely, and separately.

-- Yours, Chea Allin, Adventuress.




-=- Evra's Shop - Inside. -=-




-=- Bag of Holding. -=-

Too Flashy.

-=- Too Flashy. -=-

-=- Sundial reminds about Time-Flow, about working for Cerulean Knights. -=-


Dear Journal,

... i have dyed my robe and cloak to match Cerulean Uniform's Colour, to blue.

... i have a lot of expensive equipment to guard.

... i have three enchanted mage staves as well.

... i do not like looking too flashy, however ... prefer my more mundane-looking, a simple and beautiful Black Staff that i wield as an art-tribute to a powerful magician with a nice style - to Khelben 'Blackstaff' Arunsun,

... rest of my equipment as well.

-- Yours, Chea Allin, a Witch.




-=- a Grey Modesty. -=-





-=- A Staff. -=-

12th Arcane Initiation.

Dear Journal,

... i've initiated myself into the Arcane Mastery again, 12th time in this life.

'Energy Channels' in my Mind, Speech & Body were purified & opened, allowing Arcane & Enlightened Energies to flow more freely.

... i feel that my Force of Personality, my Charisma increased as well ... this has impact on my spellcasting, on how hard is to resist my spells, and on how many spells i can cast per day.


... learned spells of 'True Seeing' & 'Haste' ... but lost 'Find Traps' spell.

... perhaps will consider working to regain it later ... but honestly, its rarely used spell ... so scrolls or other tricks can be sufficient for when needed.

True Seeing allows one to see through Invisibility & other Illusions, through Polymorphs and smiliar ... can also help detect a sneaking, shady types as well.

... i've read that when Demons, Devils, Dragons, and other similar powerful beings use deceptions ... the True Sight can reveal their true nature.

... i think a Illusion-focused Witch that i consider myself to be - should be able to both weave Illusions, as well as to be able to see through such deceptions.


... learned how to 'Empower' part of my spells with extra energy, as well.


Casting 'True Seeing' requires material component, however: 'Mushroom Ointment', which costs 375 gp in Peltarch ... and is consumed as this spell is cast.

... it's not so big issue, as before - recently got paid for working for Cerulean Knights for many years ... and have about 60 000 gp in Peltarch's bank.

... for now, have enough of this component for 9 of casts.


... also, now i can cast more of arcane spells ... up to 6th circle arcane magick.

My weaker of spells also grew in power & duration, as well as in a number of casts per day.

When wearing my Cloak of Night's Appeal, and Enigma Robe - i can cast following amount of spells per day:

Cantrips: 7/day,
1st Circle: 8/day,
2nd Circle: 8/day,
3rd Circle: 8/day,
4th Circle: 7/day,
5th Circle: 6/day,
6th Circle: 4/day.

0th Circle Spells are called Cantrips.


... i can cast weaker of spells more often, at higher circles, if i use 'Metamagical Still' or 'Metamagical Empower'.

... any of my spells can be cast with 'Still' Metamagic ... up to 5th Circle for now, however.

... for now, following of my spells can be cast with 'Empower' Metamagic:
- Some of my Cantrips,
- Magic Missle,
- Cat's Grace,
- Owl's Wisdom,
- Eagle's Splendor,
- Phantasmal Killer.


... i am more combat- & adventure-worthy since now.

-- Yours, Chea Allin, a Witch, an Adventuress & a Seeker of Enlightened Energies.


     





     


     


     


     

In Oscura: of the Arts & Information Gathering.

Dear Journal,

Many things converged together ...

... 'information is key to strategy', as Anheim told me a while ago.


... i've hired informant - a shady type named Drapp, paid for his Oscuran Papers, so he can live there ... and when something of note happens there - he would come to me ... i'd listen and pay if it's worthwhile.

... i've also told him to give me a tour in Oscuran Inner City, where Art Gallery is ... where there are darker secrets of the City.


... we've seen 'Brushes & Chisels' as the Art Gallery is named ... featuring, - mostly or exclusively - works of a Dirge, who paints by Well of Souls. i didn't check who made statues there.

... we've also paid a visit to their macabre the cementery.


... seeing both opened my eyes, and energy centers in mind, speech and body ... attunement to magick awakened again, made me more powerful.

... i've learned 'True Seeing' spell, 'Haste' spell ... but lost 'Find Traps' spell.

... i've learned how to 'Empower' some of my spells, as well, with extra energy.


... this made me more combat-able, more powerful in Art of Magick, overall.

-- Yours, Chea Allin, an Art-obsessed Witch, an Adventuress, a Cerulean Star 2nd.


P.S. Soon i should write about my 12th Arcane Initiation ... 12th in this life, Reincarnations considered.

Maze of Mists & Illusions.

Dear Journal,

... a few days ago, a group of adventurers - me included - went on a ship to seek hidden treasure ... we had a map.

... we found ourselves in a ... in a way ... beautiful place.

... shame of it was that it was full of lies, and deceptions.

... i've played my role in discerning truth from falsehood - and we did find a treasure.

... one of us, a bard named Mashal Marshallomin, composed a song - so i will just write it here, instead of my words-clumsy relations.


--
Misty Treasure.

Let me tell you a tale, of a long lost treasure,
A tale I shall spin over a drink for your pleasure.

A map was found with hidden clues revealed,
To a hidden location of lost riches once sealed.

Gather then did the heroes of many descent,
With blades and magic did they make the attempt.

Charter a boat they did, with a questionable hin captain,
Who's shady past history would return to bite them.

Cower did the captain when the pirates finally arrived,
Revenge they did seek for a betrayal once survived.

I was there you see, a young bard of little note,
Convincing them to leave, no blood for decks to soak.

The heroes thought naught, for steel was clearly quicker,
For heroes do not lie, over which they did bicker.

Why bother with word or lying silvered tongue,
If good old fashioned killing will get the job done?

So arrows were loosed, spells were then cast,
Pirates lay dead, with their ship sinking fast.

A lone survivor was saved, sinking from armor's weight,
A pirate named Paul, denied his ship's same fate.

For one life spared, did the heroes clear the books,
Of any possible guilt, to each other knowing looks.

Paul spoke then, of our captain's sordid past,
Of deals, backstabbing and ambushes amassed.

The heroes were undecided for which could be believed,
Both were of questionable character, at least to them perceived.

Finally were Paul's words heed, as we arrived upon land,
A hero's ambush prepared for the captain's hidden hand.

Let me tell you a tale, of a long lost treasure,
A story I shall continue weaving for your leisure.

Into the misty depths of the cave we entered,
Of triangle design the hallways were centered.

Ornate mirrors of ancient make lined the passage,
Hidden foes lying in wait within their vantage.

Goblins, minotaurs, undead of all make,
The heroes pressed on, foes slain in their wake.

Next a large hall did we enter into,
With multitudes of doors, infinite choice in view.

A crystal ball then, with a question to Savras,
For it is certainly easier, with a god chosen path.

A lonesome room did we enter, a single chest found,
Empty but for a message, a warning of doom bound.

Elementals poured forth from their watery portal,
Intent on drowning us like insects trapped in a bottle.

Dispells were cast, closing their gateway,
Their numbers cut down with hardly a spray.

Further investigation or perhaps out of greed,
For a hidden lever was found, another door did it lead.

Another chest beheld with two lizardfolk statues,
Admiring a held music box, with no crank, no muse.

Play did the bards, for what else could they do?
A captive audience! such opportunities were few.

On flute and on lute, did the bards begin their score,
When familiar portals appeared, elementals numbering more.

A hidden musical note, was the key to our success
In unison they played, a new door revealed for access.

Finally did we arrive at the dungeon's triangular center,
To be faced by ghostly mist and within it a specter.

It told us to reveal our true names and deepest desires,
And wait for a time there, as wishes were acquired.

For a time we did wait, but the truths provided nothing,
As this was a riddle, for only lies were worth accepting.

Faithful of Torm, why did you lie?
For treasures of Liera do we now spy.

Faithful of Chauntea, why did you deceive?
Your god is now saddened, your crops shall now grieve.

Treasure was found, collected and counted,
But at what cost, after all challenges surmounted.

Tell me again heroes, for what reason would you lie,
Not for the lives lost, for only greed comes the outcry.

A humble opinion from this here young bard,
With barely any experience or bodily flesh scarred.

For the sake of a life, a lie can be told
But don't sully the truth, for nothing but gold.


-- Yours, Chea Allin, an Adventuress, a Witch of Mists, Illusions & Truths.




-=- Ship. -=-




-=- Landed. -=-




-=- Isle. -=-




-=- Hidden Compartment. -=-




-=- Snake Statues, Enchanted Music Box. -=-




-=- The Lying Spectre. -=-




-=- a Treasure Chest. -=-

Diplomatic Relations betweeen Peltarch, High Hold & Thayans.

Dear Journal,

... after my report about Red Wizard Necromancer in Peltarch, Vick Blake - Far Scout Commander replied:


'I understand the Thayans are trying to get a trading contract with HighHold and the nearby town.

We may want to move this on up to those working more closely with High Hold politics.

It could be that certain Thayans are trying to open trade and we could be getting overflow of unwanted attention,

... or they coudl be testing the waters in surrounding cities and towns.

I will have the Far Scouts keep an eye out as they move about the lands, and report any movement of Thayans they might come across.

Vick Blake
FarScout Commander'.


... i've replied again:


'One thing i should tell, i hope it reaches higher ranks of Peltarch rulers.

Lord of High Hold has its own troubles and expenses with establishing High Hold, and Red Wizards try to become 'helpful' in that ... he tolerates them because of this reason.

Thayans trying to establish 'enclave' there as well - place where laws of Thay hold, where animating dead, other forms of necromancy are allowed, and where slavery is allowed too.

If we want to have something to say about Red Wizards in High Hold, we should make some efforts beyond 'meaningless words' ... perhaps Peltarch can at least try to establish our own presence in High Hold - either in form of shop, politicians in their court, or something else.

... i think we should help the Lord of High Hold, not only with occasional deeds as scouting or recovery missions, but also with helping him build the High Hold itself.

... perhaps we should invest coins, perhaps crafting and other forms of labor/work are needed too.

... perhaps we won't be able to stop Thay from establishing enclave in High Hold, or perhaps we will be able to stop them ... in either case, our Peltarch presence could be useful there.

... can we afford to ignore High Hold before it's too late?'


-- Chea Allin, Cerulean Star 2nd.

Skrying Mirror.

Dear Journal,

... i've been fond of TAROT, Skrying & Divination Magick since a while.

... today did find a nice Skrying Mirror in Cerulean Knights HQ's chest.

-- Yours, Chea Allin, a Witch, a Cerulean Knight, a Seeker of Enlightened Energies.