Explore the synergistic relationship between Wood and the invisible energy:
DC Breakthroughs, 50/100/150: 94+17 (Learning)+5 (Lore: Magic)=116
Synergy. For a magician, nothing was as wonderful or as difficult to find. Every apprentice could point to the effect of combining
Wind Gust and
Fireball to create
Scorching Wind. Yet, for every one success, there were a hundred failures. What spells would and could work together was a process of trial and error. How and why remained a mystery, even despite the advances made in the millennia of the order's existence.
It was in this mindset that you explore the exact nature of the relationship between the invisible energy and Wood. Already, you had an obstacle in not being able to see the former. You could only see it by looking in the places where it was not, which revealed something amazing.
One of the commonly accepted theories of magic was the Theory of Accumulation. Magic was produced by the cardinal elements, but it happened at an incredibly slow rate of accumulation. Aifa ibnat Noor had provided valuable information on this with her experiment in '70 to '85 where she had four separate locations where one element had been used up and one location to serve as control. She concluded it took five years for an element to return to a level of observability and ten years to return to a level of usability.
Yet, you were noticing a rate of accumulation at a pace far beyond what Aifa's study showed. Urgh. It was times like this which made you dream of finding a proper unit of measurement for magic. Something quantifiable rather stating a description, but not being able to show it to someone who had not been present.
Possible Synergistic Results of the Interaction Between KF and TGM:
Accelerated Rate of Production
Your first set of tests verified Wood as a stable element, but part of you wondered about its rate of deterioration compared to other elements.
You channeled each of the four elements in its primary oppositional element and watched to see how long it took for the element to deteriorate. Air, Earth, Fire, and Water all took one hour to completely vanish. Wood took two hours. You repeated this five times, and the results repeated themselves. That was a sign of something.
Possible Synergistic Results of the Interaction Between KF and TGM:
Accelerated Rate of Growth
Reduced Rate of Deterioration/Increased Elemental Stability
You were on the verge of something ground-breaking. If only you weren't also trying to figure out how two thousand people disappeared. Thi-
Will lambasting yourself help you? Will denying yourself the joy of understanding return the lost?
No, it would not.
Gain Insight: Possible Synergistics Results of the Interaction Between KF and TGM.
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Explore the Vitality concept of Wood, DC 80: 68+17 (Learning)=85
Wood seemed to have some relationship with vitality or health. These two concepts were associated with the capacity to live, grow, and develop or a natural state of being. To some philosophical schools, it was the component which separated living things from non-living things.
Yet what exactly did that mean in practice? A few thoughts came to mind.
The first was to see if you could mimic the effects of
Healing Waters. The spell was used to accelerate the natural rate of healing within the body. Though you did not know that spell and it was a level of magic far higher than anything you personally had done before. The second was inspired by the mystery around you. Accelerate the growth of a living thing, but could you do it without using the invisible energy? Part of you thought it just strengthened the existing effect, but it could be something just not possible without it. Maybe there was something else you could do.
[] See how Vitality effects healing
[] Write-In Experiment
[] Leave it to QM
[] See how Vitality effects growth rate of living things
[] Write-In Experiment
[] Leave it to QM
[] Write-In
[] Write-In Experiment
[] Leave it to QM
This is not spell creation. You are trying to figure out what Vitality can and cannot do, so this is a choice on what to pursue experimenting.
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Master Saleh's Response: 84+15 (Diplomacy)+4 (Etiquette: Fakirs)+20 (His Student)+20 (Black Magician)-20 (Social Norms)-5 (Evidence)=118
You had decided to send a letter to Master Saleh. While it broke the rules of journeymanship, a black magician was not something to play around with even if the evidence was not particularly strong. Better to risk censure than risk a threat to Araby escaping. You asked Reza to take a letter back to al-Haikk. You returned to your work, waiting for Master Saleh's response.
When Reza returned, he did not come with a letter as you expected. He came with Master Saleh.
Your master was a tall, wiry man, dressed in the yellow and red robes of an Artisan. His braids shone with his homemade seed oil. His goatee was cut and shaped into a nice sharp point, also oiled. It was only his liquid orange eyes and the acrid stink of Cathayan powder that marked him as anything other than a man of means.
"Master why are you here?" you asked, surprised to see him here.
Master Saleh gave you a look, "Naila, is that what you say to greet someone?"
Oh, right.
"I'm sorry, Master. Peace be upon you. What are you doing here?"
He let out a sigh, "Wondering where I went wrong in the education of my pupil mostly, but you did say black magician. I thought it be best to be here in person. Plus, it gets me away from Suza. She's antsy and nothing is worse than Suza antsy," he said, taking a seat, pulling out his pipe.
You ignored the very frightening implications and instead noticed a lack of spastic energy and unwanted sarcasm.
"Where are the trio?" you asked. Your master had three jinn in his retinue. He had four in his service, but Kasul never left the workshop. The ones who came with him everywhere were Sagheer and Kabir, lesser Jinni and Akh-Saer, a Marid.
"Akh-Saer is at the docks. Sagheer and Kabir are wrestling actual birds. Apparently, one of them said something insulting," he said, gently shaking tabaca from the tin into the bowl of his pipe. Satisfied, he took a draw, and the magic of the pipe activated, lighting the tabaca. The air filling with the sweet, minty smell.
"Now, given what you wrote, we are facing someone with enough power to challenge Ata, which means one of two things. One of our own beloved elders has pulled a Jaffar or there is a magicker who has not lost themselves to arrogance and insanity that self-corrects the issue of self-taught fools," he said and for a moment, his voice gained a slight edge to his normal glib tone.
"Do you have a plan?"
"For now, continue your investigation. I will be doing my own research on the arboreal turn Mabbah has taken,"
"Any suspicions?"
"As for now, none I feel strongly enough to share. Do not worry, Naila. Between me, myself, and I, we will have this mystery solved,"
"What about me?"
"Hopefully, you learn to give a proper greeting," he said, puffing away at his pipe.
Gain Master Saleh al-Naar ibn Khalid al-Haikki, licensed magician of al-Haikk, Master of the Brethren of the Wise, initiated Brother of the Cult of Jinn, member in good standing of the Order of Earth and Flame, and bond-brother of Suzan ibnat Haroun, Caliph of al-Haikk. Specialties: Fire Magic, Enchanting, Blacksmithing, Gunsmithing, and Alchemy. Jinn Retinue: Sagheer, lesser Jinni. Kabir, lesser Jinni. Akh-Saer, Marid.
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Diary: 90
Ashar's diary revealed much about the cleric of Mabbah. He had started writing things down after his first year at college. He had been the son of farmworkers from a small village, too small to have a name of its own. They were serviced by a wandering cleric who did a rotation of his village and five others. Said cleric noticed his ability and at the age of eleven, Ashar went to the College.
He had been equal parts terrified and excited to take his place among the Holy Ones. The descendants of the Sign of the Spirits and Uniter of Araby. That enthusiasm did not vanish when his talent would never allow him a place among the Wise. He went the path of the clergy. Learning the full length of rituals and ceremonies needed to pacify the local spirits, how to perform exorcisms, and other rites a cleric needed to know. These were secrets you only partially learned. The Wise cared little for its parent organization. It was important, but magicians looked at their clerical brothers and sisters as people looked at the shit-takers. Necessary, but best ignored.
Ashar was sent to Mabbah and quickly set himself up as a proper cleric. He dove headfirst into the local community. By the end of his first year as cleric of Mabbah, he had become a full member of Mabbah's governing council.
It was a bucolic read. Ashar's crisis and troubles were so small for lack of a better word. Ardi and Jinn would play pranks, and he would handle them. A particularly thrilling passage was in truth a minor banishment of a belligerent lesser ifrit. Something you could do with little issue and Master Saleh could do with a glance. He wrote of his handling of the competing merchant houses and landowners. Yet, when he marveled at their wealth, your family had spent their yearly incomes combined in one feast.
It was only when his best friend and rival Ibn Hanif, priest of the Most Brilliant, had grown sick that his writing grew much more interesting. Pir Jameel had been sent and saved his friend's life, but the pir would return. He began working with Abu Tayfeh, a man Ashar considered the equivalent of a Sartosan pirate-lord, but his actions showed was most likely a merchant who did part-time smuggling. He also started ordering Ashar around. It built to the point where Ashar wrote to Lord Ata-ur-Manaf about Jameel's exploitative actions and that's when it ended. Exactly one week before the beginning of the events plaguing Mabbah.
Gain Insight: Pir Jameel.
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Search the Temple of the Gods: 77
You walked with Dayiel and Reza. Kabir and Sagheer accompanied you. They wore the form of Southern birds you heard some of the nobles, magnates, and corsairs took as pets. Kabir had bright blue feathers with a dark grey beak. Sagheer had dark grey feathers and a bright blue beak. Sagheer sat on Reza's shoulder while Kabir decided to be annoying.
"Kabir, go sit with your brother," you said, annoyed at his sharp talons gripping into your scalp. He let out a squawk of disapproval. You thought about trying to grab him, but the little bastard tended to peck with his sharp beak.
Muttering a variety of curses against the jinni, you arrived at the Temple. It was the second-largest building in the town and by far the most decorated. All the famous scenes of the Gods covered its entirety. The Defeat of the Four Betrayers, the Ascent of the Most Brilliant, the Gift of the Most Merciful, and the Anointing of the Uniter. The latter being of some interest. It was the accepted story of the Wise was that the Uniter had received no divine aid. He had risen by will and wisdom, by character and charisma, and by acceptance and appeasement.
To the faithful of Araby however, it was accepted that he had been chosen by the gods to unify the land. That each god helped him in his struggles. It was divine right that saw him rise to become Sultan of All Araby. It was only arrogance which blinded magicians from seeing this. That their natural hunger for power led them to diminish and deny the gods.
You generally agreed with the former. Outside of the insulting view of magicians the latter seemed to argue. From you read of him, the Uniter did not seem like the type of person who cared for gods. Not to mention the second pillar was literally Man and Spirit were partners. Neither was the servant of the other. This was not a belief the faithful particularly cared for.
Possibly historical narrative disputes aside, you pushed the doors open to find a quiet place filled with idols.
Dhul-Katab had the largest shrine set in the back. He wore the form of a young man seated before a set of scales signifying his aspect as Lord of Commerce. Ibn Hanif must have been a terrible gambler, because only the scales were gilded. Afterall, only wealth won by chance could adorn His holy places. Next in size was Dhul-Bahr loomed over in the form of a great bearded patriarch. His eyes were turquoise, and his braided beard was adorned in pearls. Both Dayiel and Reza made the sign of the Waves as they passed Him. Dhat-Rahima was across from the Sea-Father. She held an injured soul, raising their head so they might sip from Her Cup. You reflexively brought your right hand up to your forehead as you passed. Several smaller shrines sat in between the three large ones. The Most Brilliant with her sun-crown, the Most Watchful covered in black, the Most Fast carrying his spear and shield, and every other god of Araby.
"So dusty," said Sagheer, side-eying each of the deities.
"They should keep a better house," said Kabir. You shook your head, wincing when Kabir pecked your head.
"Keep still, Naila,"
"So, help me, Kabir. I will feed you to Kasul myself,"
"Ha, that lumbering oaf. I would be free before he closes his mouth,"
"Has he moved any since I left?"
"No, he gorges himself on offerings and sleeps. Saleh tries to get him to move around, but you know him," said Kabir. You shook your head at that, wincing again at Kabir's peck.
Kasul was an ifrit in your master's service. He took the form of a great snake. He spent most of his time in your master's forge, leaving only to eat. You were not sure if Jinn could get sick like people could, but you had been raised on the importance of movement to one's health. You had spent some time getting him to move around. To be more active. It had worked, but it was sad to hear he had not kept it up.
As you entered the back, Kabir spoke.
"We've guests," he said.
"Friendly or not?" You asked.
"They stink of death and echoes of final words, Naila," said Kabir. Wonderful, The Undead.
Reza and Dayiel drew their weapons. Reza unsheathed his saber and Dayiel held a mallet and axe. You channeled Earth, touching the wall and shaped a small amount into a dagger. It had the same color and consistency of the brick, but better something than nothing.
"Any idea of the horror awaiting us?" asked Reza.
"The wind brings the smell and sound of Death, nothing else. What about you, brother?" asked Kabir.
Sagheer looked up and you could see him willing the Air around him. The blue grey swirled and then dissipated.
"Flesh lies upon rotten muscle and pitted bone. Voices wheeze out a single demand. Flesh, flesh, flesh," said Sagheer.
(Undead Check, DC 60: 30+17 (Learning)=47)
"Nothing comes to mind," you said, "Sound familiar to either of you?"
(Reza: 16+11 (Learning)+15 (Experiences)=42, Dayiel: 16+13 (Learning)+15 (Experiences)=44)
Reza shook his head, "I've heard of Ships of the Dead out west, but no great details,"
"Just stories of the Old Kings and I never heard of that in them," said Dayiel. Wonderful.
"Plans?" you asked.
"Best to flee and return with more people and His Holiness," said Dayiel.
"Dayiel has the right of it. Foolish to fight a foe you know nothing about. If needed, I will stay watch over while you all grab help," said Reza.
"Ha, you have us. Bring forth the whirlwind, Naila!" said Kabir.
"We know they are here. I do not believe they know the reverse. Let us use it. Surprise will fly us to victory," said Sagheer.
Choose the option:
[] Flight
[] Dayiel: Everyone flees and comes back with numbers and Master Saleh.
[] Reza: A group flees and comes back with help. One person stays behind to keep a watch on the foe.
Who stays behind? You will have to succeed a DC 60 roll if you choose anyone other than Reza
[] Reza
[] Dayiel
[] Kabir
[] Sagheer
[] Yourself
[] Fight (If you choose a fight option, please write a general plan, no more than two hundred and fifty words, of what exactly everyone does)
[] Kabir's Plan: The Whirlwind. Kabir and Sagheer will act as the front of the attack with you three coming in behind.
[] Sagheer's Plan: Ambush. Use surprise to set up an ambush.
[] Write-In
[] Write-In (Please write a general plan, no more than four hundred words, of what everyone does.)
Please read all voting prompts. If you have any questions, let me know. 
