Nirael woke up in bed alone the next morning, but to the sounds of combat.  Sitting up straight in bed, his immediate panic was replaced as the sounds began to make more sense to him and the grunts, cries, and strikes had a very metered sound to them.  He opened the bedroom door then the door across the hall to see Nilari and Lunari sparring with wooden blades.  Both were dressed in leather, cut in a style that human society would deem scant at best, but somehow seemed almost conservative for these two.  Lunari wielding a practice blade in one hand and her inky void cloth wrapped about her other forearm.  Her mother, Nilari, wielding a wooden greatsword, curved like the katana she normally bore.  As Nirael watched, Lunari swung her voidcloth wrapped left arm in a wide and wild swing directly at Nilari’s head, leaving behind a trail of midnight black, obscuring the woman’s view.  Immediately following in the wake of that wild swing she pivoted on her right foot and aimed a sweeping roundhouse kick high and for her mother’s head.<br/><br/>But Nilari was no novice, and though she didn’t see the blow coming, ducked low, raising her off hand to block any strike that might be swinging down out of that darkness.  As Lunari’s foot crested through however, Nilari understood the move and swept forwards with a one handed strike to Lunari’s foot, the pivot point of the strike.  It was a weak blow, but it wasn’t designed to injure, as she spun the blade in her grip and used the curve of the blade.  Yanking backwards as she rose up and pulled back, she pulled Lunari right off her foot before the kicking left could land.<br/><br/>Lunari was far too nimble for that however, and rolled in mid air, even as her leg was swept out from under her.  Three times in that single fall her body rotated, aided by the momentum of her failed kick, an inky black cocoon of night whirling about her following the path of her forearm.  From that descending shell of darkness the practice scimitar lashed out, clipping Nilari’s ribs and pressing the woman back.  Just long enough for Lunari to get her feet under her and dance backwards weaving her sword and cloth defensively.<br/><br/>Nilari however pressed the advantage, taking the blow to the ribs and switching her grip to a two handed blow, she swung three times in a blazing fast move, upwards and across, then sweeping back across at chest level, and finally in a mostly downwards chop.  It was too many angles for Lunari to dodge, and despite the cover of darkness that she’d woven and her great agility the second and third strikes found her, driving her back, gasping for air as she bumped into the wall of the room behind her.<br/><br/><div class="floatright"><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">nsfw images</div><div class="spoiler_body">(http://i.imgur.com/wCjTTps.png)<br/><br/>(http://i.imgur.com/feetazv.jpg)</div></div></div><br/>The instant the sound of her daughter hitting the wall hit Nilari’s ears, she leapt backwards a few feet and held her blade forwards in a ready position, not pressing the attack.  Her eyes darted to Nirael and she smiled, saying,<strong>“It seems our sparring has awoken our man soyellia.”</strong><br/><br/>Lunari waved her sword in the air, dissapaiting the inky black void that hung around her.  It dissapaited at the touch, fading like smoke in the wind.  Several deep purple bruises showed on Lunari’s lavendar skin, and Nirael noticed that her mother bore a few as well, though perhalps not quite as many.  Panting and smiling however Lunari smiled at Nirael,<strong>“Greetings my love, I hope we did not wake you with our practice.”</strong><br/><br/>Nilari seemed to sense that a rest was in order and turned, leaning against her massive practice blade and said,<strong>“Anju will be your guard and your guide today.  Lunari and I have patrol.  Tomorrow Lunari will be with you to tend to your needs, see to it that you don’t spend all day in bed.”</strong>Then with a wry grin she added,<strong> “Her skills have improved, but I fear they may have been going unused the last few days since she met you.”</strong><br/><br/>Lunari threw her inky void cloth across the room to slap her mother in the face, who sputtered and reached up to try to pull the entangling darkness down.  But Lunari smiled at Nirael and said,<strong>“No doubt the druidess is waiting for you outside if you wish to leave this morning.  But she chose not to wait inside.  I will see you later this evening though.  But first I must teach my elder soyellia that I can dish out far better than I have so far.”</strong><br/><br/>Nirael, after preparing for the day, found Anju indeed waiting for him outside, sitting in the lotus on the ground outside the home.  She nodded curtly and would answer him, and didn’t seem overly unfriendly, but also not very talkative.  It was clear she didn’t love her job as his guardian for the day, but it also appeared that she was simply not the most social person, based on the interactions he saw with her and other elves.<br/><br/>Sirana was happy to see him for the breakfast meal and they sat in a corner of the inn’s dining area, warded off from any interruptions by the stern druidess who sat nearby but just out of earshot.  She expressed great interest in the theory behind his primal magic, and expressed a great desire in learning more about how the primal plane connected to the material one.  She likened it’s connection to that of the positive energy plane, and speculated if the primal had an oppositional plane, much like the light and dark planes.  An interesting query, and one that Nirael had no answer to.<br/><br/>Mara joined them after a while, having risen later in the morning and the three chatted for a while about light matters before Mara broached the subject of Nirael’s attention.  Sirana noticed that the woman seemed quite smitten with the mage, and Mara agreed.  However when Sirana noted that they had been discussing Nirael’s magic, it was in fact Mara who suggested a live demonstration.<br/><br/>With Anju guarding the bottom of the stairs, the trio went up to Mara’s room.  Noise wasn’t a large factor, as they were the only guests of the inn, and most locals didn’t make use of the inn.  The truth was that the inn was really more an elven couple’s home, two women, who rented out rooms and had a large open eating and living area on the first floor.<br/><br/>Once upstairs, Mara was quick to strip down and begin kissing Nirael passionately, before he could even protest.  Sirana had the decency to blush, but sat quietly in the corner, watching intently after casting detect magic on herself.  It was more than an hour later when Mara lay on the bed, still gasping and panting for breath, and completely satisfied that Nirael began re-dressing and smiling at Sirana.  The necromancer’s face was flushed and she was shifting on the stool she sat upon slightly.  Her gaze lingered over the primal mage, but she thanked him for the instruction and hoped he had time for more in the future.  Mara agreed that she’d be happy to help again any time he wanted.  Though the look on Sirana’s eyes at that note said she had been thinking of something else, maybe a more hands on demonstration.<br/><br/>He returned to Nilari’s home, now empty of the two elven women, and Anju declined to enter, telling him that she would meditate outside if he needed her.  Allowing him time and privacy to study the spell books more.  But after some time he decided to take a lunch break, and found Anju downstairs.  She had prepared a meal of raw vegetables and fruit and had it already laid out for the two of them to eat in the kitchen.  “I thought it was close to when you might be eating and I thought we could eat together.  While I’d prefer to be out on patrol, or out in the wilds, I do not wish you to think that I actively oppose you being here.”<br/><br/>Her tone was cool and distant, even though her words said that she was trying to make an attempt at being friendly.  Nirael couldn’t help but wonder if the many elven villagers had noticed her aloofness and word had gotten back to the Matriarch about it.  But she did maintain the very minimum amount of conversation with him as they ate, and it seemed that while she hadn’t warmed up to him at all, she also wasn’t directly opposed to him.  Maybe if she got to know him a little better.<br/><br/>He then returned to the study and finding paper sketched every bit of his half of the artifact he could, taking notes on it’s design and possible function.  But then came a strange moment when he held it out by the chain.  As expected, it began to rise into the air, pointing to the other half of the artifact.  However what was unexpected, instead of pointing northwards, where Nirael had believed the demon to be with the other half, it slowly swung around and pointed south west.   What this could mean, he wasn’t sure.  Had the demon somehow crossed the ocean in a single day?  Was it so far that the artifact wasn’t reading it right?  He simply couldn’t tell.<br/><br/>It was a mystery that had to wait as he heard a soft singing in the distance, calling the elves to the early afternoon worship.  Anju did seem pleased at this, and offered the first comment that he’d heard her say that was both positive and unprompted, stating that she hoped he would participate in the services today.<br/><br/>The afternoon service was much like the night time one, and the Matriarch was pleased to see him, offering him a seat on the grass next to her.  They sat in a large semi circle on the soft grass as a priestess spoke of Eilistraee, and then openly spoke of the scripture of when she took a goddess as a dancing partner.  Shoni’s name was mentioned and though it wasn’t specifically stated that they were lovers, the implication was quite clear, and rather positive in nature.   It was then that the priestess mentioned Nirael specifically and asked him if he would like to join her in a dance for the worshipers.<br/><br/>A nudge from Anju, and a smile from the Matriarch told him he didn’t dare refuse.  So even with his nerves, he stood and walked to stand next to the priestess.  Her gauze like garment was pulled up over her head, and he realized that Eilistraee was always depicted as nude.  Also realizing that he was acting as a representative of his Goddess Shoni, he decided that while he may not be a good dancer, he could certainly give the worshipers a show.  Acting almost on impulse, almost as if the inspiration had come from the divine setting, he quickly stripped down and then allowed his features to shift, flowing, changing in front of the crowd.<br/><br/>The murmur from the crowd at his shape shifting abilities sounded impressed, but not surprised.  He should have known that in a small villiage any rumors would spread like wildfire, and he’d been here more than a day and a half already.  As he shifted, he felt an almost divine inspiration, a light headed rush of  passion and form, and a certainty in his actions.  It was as if his actions weren’t even in his control, but he was a conduit of change for something greater than he was himself.  When his shifting had completed he stood there a tall beautiful human woman, nude and radiant in beauty, not what he had intended originally, and almost as if Shoni herself had guided him to this form.<br/><br/>Then too were all doubts and worries gone from his mind as he and the elven priestess began a dance.  It was sensual but not sexual, implying and arousing, but not lewd or overt.  Their lips met, separated by a hair’s breadth to mimic a kiss, and their hands glided over each other’s bodies, never quite touching.  His steps were flawless as he mirrored the priestess, even though he didn’t know the dance, his body performed it without thought.<br/><br/>Nirael could not tell how long he danced, but finally the dance ended with him in the form of the divine goddess and the priestess, representing Eilistraee, slowly sinking to the ground.  He closed his eyes, panting from both the performance as well as the rush of what could only be divine inspiration.  When he did open them again, he found himself in his normal guise, that of a human man, and felt a sense of elation and fulfilment.  All around him, the elven people were dancing and singing.  The priestess knelt near him and smiled congratulating him on a job done amazingly.  He realized that the crowd dancing was the elven equivalent, in this time and place, of a standing ovation.  Everyone was celebrating what they’d just seen, even if they didn’t realize what it had meant to Nirael.<br/><br/>The matriarch approached him and requested his presence for them to talk tomorrow evening, if it was convenient for him, and the priestess encouraged him to return any time he wanted, though he suspected such divine inspiration would not happen again, he doubted if it would matter.<br/><br/>The elves of the village crowded around him after the service was concluded and it seemed everyone wanted to talk with him.  About his plans to stay in the village, his performance, his availability as a lover or as a stud, and everything in between.<br/><br/>Finally Anju was able to break him free as it seemed he was growing exhausted.  It was only then that he realized he hadn’t had the chance to re-dress himself.  It was strange how that didn’t seem to matter to anyone.  But she returned him to Nilari’s home, and found the woman and Lunari waiting for him.   Anju bid them a good night and left him in their care.  The word of his performance had already spread around town and the two were eager to hear about it, while expressing their sadness that they’d missed it.  He recounted it as they ate and talked, and eventually the talking stopped and the passion began between the three.  Only eventually, did the love making move upstairs to the bedroom.<br/><br/>Nirael fell asleep that night knowing that this was a day that some people went their entire lives without seeing the likes of.  Truly he was blessed.<br/><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">current 'rewards'</div><div class="spoiler_body"><span class="bbc_u">For studying the spell book for a total of 3 hours:  </span><br/>For the three hours Nirael spends studying Alher's spell book, he may learn 3 spell levels worth of spells (cantrips count as 1/2 a level).  That could be a single 3rd level spell, it could be three 1st level spells, or it could be six cantrips.  Or a combination, such as 2 cantrips and a 2nd level spell, or a 2nd level spell and a 1st level spell, etc.  In the future you may learn new spells from the spell book and add them to your own spell book as 'known' spells this way.  However after this time, I need to roll to find out if a spell is in the spell book or not.   Alher's spellbook has ANY and ALL primal spells up to 6th level spells.  It also has ANY cantrips and 1st level spells.  However there is a chance that there may not be spells of higher levels.  So you'll have to ask me to roll to see if any given spell of 2nd through 6th level is in his spell book.<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u">For his divine performance at dance:</span><br/>Add one Hero Point to your character sheet when you do level Nirael's character sheet  (also make sure you post a link to the updated sheet when you get a chance please)<br/>Hero point information can be found here: http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/other-rules/hero-points<br/><br/>Mara is act maximum 'affection' towards Nirael at this point and as long as he doesn't ignore her, she will be committed to him.  She may accompany him in the village, though not in his private research time.  She will in essence be an additional female 'guard' while he goes about the day.<br/></div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">ooc Day 3 planning information</div><div class="spoiler_body"><br/><ul class="bbc_list"><li>How we will handle the daily time that Nirael spends.  Every day, Nirael has a certain number of hours that he can spend his time on.  It is up to you to decide how he spends them.<br/>Nirael may spend 1 hour on any activity, or socializing with any NPC.  Any attempts at sex require a second hour with that npc in that day.  Some npcs will automatically agree, others may take 'convincing'  (a dm roll)</li><li>Each day Nirael has 24 hours to spend (save the first)  8 full hours should be spent at rest (sleep) between each day, though this can be broken up between the two days.  (IE if he goes to bed at 10pm one night and wakes up at 6am the next morning.  He also needs to spend another 1 hour at an absolute minimum for washing, the minimum amount of eating, and biological functions as well as daily spell preparation.  </li><li>Since Nirael wakes up at 6 am on the third day, and needs 1 hour for washing / eating / etc, you can start the planning at <strong>7am</strong> giving him a total of 17 hours in this day to spend.</li><li>Multiple hours spent in a row, in one option, are more effective then if they are spread out.</li><li>Every option has an advantage and a potential gain, but some gains may not 'unlock' till a minimum amount of time is spent on them.</li></ul><br/>The following is a list of activities that Nirael can spend time on:<br/><br/><span class="bbc_u"><strong>NPC options:</strong></span><br/>Spend time socializing with the following NPCs to learn and improve your reputation with them<br/><ul class="bbc_list"><li>Lunari</li><li>Mara - <div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">note on Mara</div><div class="spoiler_body">Mara is at maximum affection and is fully committed to Nirael at this point.  As long as he continues to pay attention to her once every few days, you do not need to schedule time for this.  It can be included in time spent with someone else, or include her in wandering the village, going to service, or even having sex with someone else.  If you choose to allocate an hour specifically to Mara, sex will be included, but there will be no further 'gains' and will be only from a role play perspective.</div></div></li><li>Sirana</li><li>Anju</li><li>Nilari</li><li>Matriarch Nameer</li><li>Priestess Viendrissa <em>(the priestess from the ceremony)</em> </li><li>any of the elven villagers he has met before but not listed above, including the other priestesses, smith, bowyer, etc</li></ul>Spend time trying to seduce or have sex with the following NPCs  (requires one hour of socialization time that day in addition to this hour)<br/><ul class="bbc_list"><li>Lunari - automatic success </li><li><del>Mara - automatic success</del>  - <em>see spoiler note above for Mara</em></li><li>Sirana - preform sex check, DC 20  (currently) </li><li>Anju - preform sex check, DC 25  (currently) </li><li>Nilari - automatic success </li><li>Matriarch Nameer - preform sex check, DC 23  (currently) </li><li>Priestess Viendrissa - preform sex check, DC 25  <em>(the priestess from the ceremony)</em> </li><li>Try to have sex with multiple partners - DC is the highest of any listed </li><li>-future NPCs</li></ul><br/><br/><br/><span class="bbc_u"><strong>Research options:</strong></span><br/>Nirael may spend time sequestered in private doing research on the following items<br/><ul class="bbc_list"><li>Study Alher's spellbooks - <em>this will grant you additional 'known' spells</em></li><li>Study Alher's magical notebook - <em>this will grant you 'clues'</em></li><li>Read Alher's personal journal - <em>this will grant insight about the man's life / family</em></li><li>Study Lirialla, the staff - ?</li><li>Study the artifact half you carry - ?</li></ul><br/><br/><br/><span class="bbc_u"><strong>Explore the elven village</strong></span><br/><em>(please note what form Nirael takes when he does this, male or female)</em><br/><ul class="bbc_list"><li>Wander alone, without guards.  This will require a successful diplomacy check of 16 or higher failure indicates a lost hour of time.</li><li>Socialize with the native elves.  please note if this is with or without guards.</li><li>Attend worship of Eilistraee.  Maximum of 4, non consecutive hours a day.</li><li>Visit the elven common areas, such as shops and businesses.</li></ul><br/>Also, if you want to keep track of how you're spending your time, I'm keeping track on this sheet:<br/>https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TQ3X0sCjQ6mUWrC_uOzB_wT3MqlCoy-2QQ6a2gVuuTI/edit#gid=0<br/><br/></div></div>