<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=205751.msg10242011#msg10242011">Quote from: Skynet on 11-07-2014, 05:32:44</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"As for my family, I was from a clan which shared positive relationship with elves.  The Creesh, as our clan was known, lived in the forest and really only interacted with them for trade and mutual defense.  My parents and relatives had little interest in arcane magic.  My father was a priest of the Earth Mother, and my aunt studied spirit lore, but aside from a few adepts in training my clan largely did not practice wizardry in general.  In fact, when I expressed my desire to learn wizardry, my father said 'well, I suppose it's a tradition like any other form of magic,' and that was that."  Artaxes laughed.</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>Kleris chuckled along with him.  "That's good to hear.  'At least you're following some tradition.'  Priests and nature magic have always been a bit nebulous to me, but from what I hear its certainly effective at its purposes.  So, did you leave behind a girlfriend or broken-hearted fillies?" he grinned.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"That's probably the best and least risky way," Zull said, nodding her head.<br/>"I think, no, I <em>know,</em> that you can pull this off!" Rensha exclaimed.  "But if you ever need our help at any moment, just tell us."<br/>"I suppose we should leave things to Kleris for now, and wait until her next report," Lillin said.  "Today ends our first meeting of the Conspiracy to Unearth Mordant's Secrets!"<br/>Zull and Rensha groaned.<br/>"What, it's a good name!"</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>"Thanks guys.  I appreciate your help, and I may need it.  Right now I want to learn what I can to make everything go smoothly.  Commencing phase one of CUMS."<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Ah, Ms. Merchiot!  What a pleasant surprise!"  The elderly half-orc seemed awfully energetic for a women of her age.  "I heard so many good things about you from Zullinat!  Did you know she takes Monster Identification 101, too?  Are you trying to fit in more time with her?  Oh don't worry, I can tell that your enthusiasm is genuine.  Unfortunately you're already taking six classes, and if you dropped one of them you'd need to do a month's worth of catching up with the rest of the class.  But I'm more than willing to help you out during a free time schedule suitable for the both of us!  In the meantime, here are some books I'd recommend reading..."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>The professor was enthusiastic, so Kleris felt better that she did have some interest in her class and wasn't just abusing her time for ulterior motives.  "Oh yeah, I'm pretty busy with magic classes, but I thought I'd explore what other options are available for the future.  Oh my, this book looks fantastic!  This will be very good to peruse.  I'll be sure to stop by to observe or see you with any questions."  After their meeting, Kleris excused himself and took some extra time to look around the professors' offices to feel out the area, making a note of Karnakia's office.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Randall's one of Mordant's prefects, and Kleris had earlier seen him patrolling the adjacent Thaumant school from time to time.  A few of the Mordant girls tell Kleris that from dating him, he harbors a fantasy of one day meeting a djinn.</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>With some good intel on Prefect Randall, Kleris made some plans for his seduction and infiltration.  He couldn't very well pull off passing himself off as a djinn.  But maybe a sylph (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/other-races/featured-races/arg-sylph): pale, thin, delicate, complex blue markings, aloof with sudden shifts of passion.  He did some research and practiced some looks to create his character, Nava, a foreign exchange student that Randall can discover "spying" on him in the sylph's way.  During his next visits to Mordant, he'd be sure to<em>disguise</em>himself as the blue sylph and "stalk" Randall between his routine classes and dorm.<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Lunch</span></div><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">His gaze landed upon his new arch-rival, and continued standing as he gave his speech.  "Kleris, in spite of your last duel's technical...victory, I can recognize that you're no mere novice.  If we are to truly fight as equals, then I must know as much about your style as possible.  It would be foolish <em>not</em> to learn about your opponent.  I expected you of all people to know this."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Sense Motive DC 11</div><div class="spoiler_body">Carson's referring to Zull's race in this last sentence.</div></div><br/>[Sense motive 2+1=3]<br/>Slow on the uptake as always, Kleris wonders if Carson has had some business with Zull herself spying in the past.  "Leave her out of this, Carson.  She hasn't done anything," he muttered.<br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Anyway Kleris, during my research I noticed that you're an enchanter.  Yet during the duel you chose two wands of Conjuration, classes you are not taking.  I have one final question for you, Kleris.  During our altercation in that Allainian Academy, only then did you resort to a spell aligned with your specialization, <em>sleep.</em>  It did not work, surprisingly, but in that moment of immediate danger did you default to your full potential.  So why did you hold back in our duel?  I can tolerate misjudgments in a match, but I cannot tolerate an opponent who does not give it their all!  Kleris, next time we meet in conflict, I don't want you to hold back!  Show me your true potential like you would against a hated foe!  You may not like me, but you must honor the traditions of the mage's duel!"</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>Kleris briefly toyed with the thought of dismissing Carson, letting him stew in his indignation.  But not wanting to be dismissive in front of his friends, he instead went for technical analyis.<br/><br/>"Well, Carson, I wasn't able to use my own spells in the duel, just the wands.  And if I had gone for enchantment, I would have been limited by their power, rather than my own expertise, and you would have an easier time resisting.  And with such limited options, I chose the two wands that would give me flexibility; conjuration just happens to be quite versatile.  And the<em>grease</em>and<em>summoned monster</em>would each let me keep away from you and attack indirectly:  your footing, your weapons, or you yourself.  So if you'd like a demonstration of my full abilities, we'll have to change the rules of our next match.  No wands, just our own magic..." he let the challenge go as already assumed.  And rigged the setup in his favor.  If the magus was allowed his full fighting ability, Kleris would be quickly outmatched.  But purely magical, Carson's weapons, armor, and strength would be meaningless.<br/>[Bluff to trick into unfavorable conditions 6+12=18]<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">I Know What You're Thinking</span></div><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Kleris, I will deem you ready to learn the spell of thought detection, but first you must undergo a few trials.  First you must understand the sensation of having a person bore into your mind.  This spell only detects surface thoughts, not forgotten memories or things the target's not thinking about at the time.  It is all too easy to reach into someone's conscious without consideration of their feelings, if you yourself never experienced being on the other side.  Once you're ready I will cast the spell on you.  Don't worry, I won't be probing for long.  Instead, think hard of a number from one to ten thousand.  Focus on that number as you would focus on the mental rhythms necessary to cast a spell."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>Kleris suddenly panicked, thinking for sure his secret would be out, then berated himself for thinking that "out loud."  Working to keep his face composed, he breathed slowly, clearing his mind of everything but the number, picturing it in bold flaming letters even as he sang it to a tune to make that the only thing on his mind.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Okay, the first part of the spell tells me the presence or absence of thoughts in a general area."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>That would be a good line to use on Carson later.<em>Nope, there doesn't seem to be any thoughts in the area, just a vacuum of intelligence...</em><br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Now I can tell the number of thinking minds in the area and their intellectual capacity."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><em>Oh, wait, there's something:  it seems to be some sort of beast of burden, or is it just a lizard?  Gaah, shut up, focus, number number number...</em><br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"That was quite a trip, wasn't it?" she asked.  "Kleris, I do not need magic to tell that you're good of heart.  I can rest easy knowing that this spell will be put into proper hands.  But first you must make a pledge.  The Blue Oracles are a prestigious order of diviners who use their talents to make the Known Realms a better place.  Although I do not belong to them, it is traditional for a diviner to swear that they will not use their powers for evil, to not violate other's privacy except in times of greatest need, and to see their talents for the benefit of the many.  Place your hand upon the circle, and repeat after me."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>Kleris repeated the oath, promising to only use the divination for productive purposes.  Mmmmaybe to spy on Carson.  Or one of the girls.  Or Artaxes.  But not for ill, of course.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"I don't mean to pry, but I've heard through the grapevine that you've been asking about boys.  Don't be ashamed, it's natural to have fondness for someone.  You're charming, you're smart, and you're kind, all good qualities not just for a girl, but for anyone.  But you're young, and inexperienced to the many trials of love.  I've been through it all, the good and the bad, loved and been loved by men and women in years as a mage.  If you don't mind, I'm more than willing to help you out in whatever ways you need.  Don't worry, anything you reveal here will be confidential," she said with a wink.  "I won't tell."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>Kleris blushed a bit, both at the knowledge that people in general have heard about his inquiries--purely for intrigue!--and that he had the qualities of a lovely girl.  It was a bit flattering, though, and seeing the professor's decor, it seemed she did have some experience in the subject.  "I can see you've taken confidentiality seriously with divination and everything else.  Well, yes, I am a bit inexperienced with love, boys, and girls too..."  He felt oddly shy admitting his taste for girls, being a "girl" himself.  He nodded to the image of Professor Yarminda with the satyr.  "Was he one of your romances?  There is a boy that is quite, um, interesting, but he's also not exactly humanoid.  I was just wondering if that caused problems."