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<blockquote data-quote="Delemental" data-source="post: 3065453" data-attributes="member: 5203">MetamorphosisFor this week's update, I bring you one of a couple of pieces of fiction written by various people.&nbsp; Apparently we had all this pent-up creativity during our game hiatus.This piece, &quot;Metamorphosis&quot; was written by yours truly.&nbsp; When I posted Kyle's stats a while back, I mentioned that our DM had allowed some significant character revisions after the hiatus.&nbsp; This story is my account of Kyle's changes.&nbsp; The next story I'll post, which was written by Sinewgrab (Tolly's player), is along the same lines, his account of how Tolly was changed.--------------------------&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Autumn pulled the tent flap aside and stepped inside, eager to get out of the cold mountain air.&nbsp; She blinked at the bright light inside, much brighter than the twilight sky she’d just come from.&nbsp; Kyle was sitting on their bedroll, with one of his light globes floating in the air over his shoulder.&nbsp; A large book sat on his lap.&nbsp; The book was a familiar sight to her, as she’d seen her husband reading from it almost daily before they had been separated by the war.&nbsp; But unlike other times, when he was eagerly turning pages in Jovol’s Codex to learn its secrets, this time he was just staring at the pages, his brow furrowed.&nbsp; On the far side of their tent, she saw a pile of the magical treasures that they had taken from the giants in the silver mine, items that Kyle had said he would examine tonight to determine what they did.&nbsp; The pile looked untouched.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Help me with my armor?” she asked.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kyle didn’t look up, but waved his hands in the air.&nbsp; An unseen servant appeared, and she felt it move close and start to pull at the straps holding her plate armor.&nbsp; Autumn was about to snap at Kyle, but then paused.&nbsp; Normally he was eager to help her get into and out of her armor (more so the latter); this almost dismissive behavior was inexplicably odd.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Autumn finished shedding her armor, arranging it carefully next to their bed so that in the event of a night attack she could pull on a few crucial pieces before joining battle.&nbsp; She then pulled off the heavy padding underneath, though she waited until the unseen servant popped out of existence before shedding the rest of her garments; she knew that the servant was nothing but a magical construct with no true will or perception, but she still felt uncomfortable undressing in front of one.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The aasimar slid into the bedding next to Kyle, glad that the cooling mountain air had not yet penetrated inside the tent.&nbsp; Normally it wouldn’t have been an issue, as Autumn would have left her smallclothes and padding on in case there was an ambush.&nbsp; But right now her mind was not on battle readiness.&nbsp; After all, they’d only been together for two days after being separated during the early stages of the Tauric invasion, and most of that spent traveling or fighting giants.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Kyle, can you scratch my back?” For the past two weeks, she’d had an annoying, nearly constant itch between her shoulder blades that hadn’t responded to any of the ointments her valet had bought for her.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; One of Kyle’s hands rose into the air, and he started to mutter something.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “If you summon a mage hand, I will break your fingers.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The muttering stopped, and Kyle reached over and began scratching down her spine.&nbsp; At first, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the temporary relief.&nbsp; But after a while she grew dissatisfied.&nbsp; Kyle’s efforts were effective, but half-hearted at best, and she grew acutely aware that his hand had not wandered from its duty in the slightest, something that was usually a persistent problem with her husband.&nbsp; Briefly, Autumn began to contemplate what Lanara would do in a situation like this, until she realized that the bard had probably never faced the problem of having a man ignore her while she was sitting naked next to them.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Autumn decided that her usual direct approach was the best.&nbsp; “Kyle, what’s wrong?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Nothing,” he grunted. He withdrew his hand.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “‘Nothing’?” she echoed.&nbsp; “You sound like a petulant child.&nbsp; Out with it, or you sleep outside tonight.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Fine.&nbsp; I’ve just spent the last half-hour having my dreams and ambitions crushed, that’s all.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; She laughed; the statement was so dramatic that at first she thought it was another one of Kyle’s poorly executed jokes.&nbsp; But she stopped when he didn’t react in kind.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; There was a long, pregnant silence in the tent.&nbsp; She was about to make another comment, when two things happened that stopped her cold.&nbsp; She saw his eyes well up with tears – not tears of pain, or guilt, or embarrassment, but of a deeper sadness, the tears of lost hope.&nbsp; But what truly shocked her was when Kyle slammed the metallic covers of the Codex shut, and then hurled the tome out of the tent with a shout of rage.&nbsp; She saw the book slam into a nearby rock through the tent flap, and then her view was obscured as Kyle stormed out of the tent himself, heading off into the night.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Autumn sat there for a moment, stunned.&nbsp; She had an urge to run after him, but realized that she was still unclothed.&nbsp; As she began to fumble for her smallclothes, a head poked into the tent.&nbsp; The sentinel yelped and clutched a blanket up in front of herself.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Everything okay, sis?” Arrie asked.&nbsp; “What’s going on here?&nbsp; Do I need to go hurt someone?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “No!” she shouted, aware that she was shaking a little.&nbsp; She was replaying the image of Kyle throwing Jovol’s Codex out of the tent.&nbsp; The book on planar metaphysics was priceless, and irreplaceable, and according to her husband was the key to his ambitions.&nbsp; Autumn looked at Arrie, who was waiting for more of an explanation.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “It’s fine, Arrie,” Autumn said hurriedly.&nbsp; “I mean, it isn’t, but… just let him go, okay?&nbsp; He’ll come back.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Okay,” Arrie said, sounding unconvinced.&nbsp; She ducked out for a moment, and then came back into the tent, holding the Codex.&nbsp; “You want to hold on to this for him?&nbsp; I know Kyle’s been reading this a lot, I doubt he really wants it to stay outside all night.&nbsp; I assume it’s important or something.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Arrie, you have no idea.&nbsp; “Yes, please, put it over there.”&nbsp; She pointed into the corner of the tent.&nbsp; When Arrie set the Codex down, Autumn saw with relief that it looked none the worse for wear.&nbsp; She tossed a blanket over it; no sense letting the book be the first thing Kyle saw when he came back.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Are you sure you’re all right?” Arrie asked.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I will be.&nbsp; Go back to your watch.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Okay, but if you need to talk…”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I know where to find you,” Autumn finished for her.&nbsp; “But right now I’m feeling a little… exposed, so could you close the tent flap?&nbsp; And come get me for the next watch – don’t try and take a double watch for my sake.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Yeah, like I’d really miss out on my beauty sleep for your sake,” Arrie teased.&nbsp; They both knew that if Autumn hadn’t said anything, Arrie probably would have taken both watches.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kyle hadn’t returned by the time Autumn was roused for her watch, and didn’t come back until well into the night.&nbsp; Lanara had received a brief report of the earlier incident from Arrie, and so had let Autumn take the lead on the conversation.&nbsp; This, of course, had led to a fairly quiet evening.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kyle came into the camp and sat down next to Autumn on a rock.&nbsp; Lanara looked at the two of them.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Oh, gee, look at the moons,” Lanara said, glancing up at the overcast sky.&nbsp; “Time for my long perimeter patrol.”&nbsp; The cansin stood up and walked away from the fire, pulling her cloak around her shoulders tightly.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kyle handed Autumn a handful of scraggly yellow wildflowers.&nbsp; “Not much to pick from out here,” he said quietly.&nbsp; “The altitude, you know… and it’s pretty late in the year.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “They’re lovely,” Autumn said.&nbsp; “But I should be the one giving you flowers.&nbsp; I shouldn’t have laughed.&nbsp; I was so annoyed that you weren’t paying attention to me that I did the same to you.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I understand,” he replied.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Can we be friends again?” she said with a smile.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Friends and more,” Kyle laughed, and leaned over to kiss her.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “So, tell me what you read in the Codex that upset you so much,” Autumn said.&nbsp; She had the urge to rest Kyle’s head on her shoulder and stroke his hair, but she realized that while wearing full plate it wouldn’t exactly be the comforting gesture she intended.&nbsp; She settled for holding his hands.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kyle sighed.&nbsp; “I don’t think I’ll be able to do what I had hoped to do.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Why not?&nbsp; You seemed to think that it was possible, with a little more study…”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “That was before I started reading tonight.&nbsp; Actually, I’ve suspected it for a while, but my reading confirms it.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Well, what’s the problem?” Autumn asked.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “In order to pull off the necessary modifications to the demiplane, I would need to have mastered the manipulation of raw magical energy to a degree I simply can’t manage.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “What do you mean?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “There are ways to manipulate spells to improve their effects by investing additional energy into them.&nbsp; You can make them travel farther, affect a larger area, last longer, or change the energies they use.&nbsp; You can alter the way they are cast so they can be discharged without sound, or gestures, or even with just a single word.&nbsp; Many mages pursue this knowledge to varying degrees.”&nbsp; Kyle poked at the fire with the end of his staff.&nbsp; “I never did.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Why not?&nbsp; Surely you had a good reason.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I did, or so I thought.&nbsp; When I first started training as a wizard under Professor Vorsha, I gravitated toward the path of the artificer… making magic items.&nbsp; It seemed a good fit at the time – I still considered myself more a laborer than a mage, and I was good at working with my hands.&nbsp; I understood the theories of metamagic, but it seemed so… impractical.&nbsp; So I never pursued it.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “You sound like you wish you’d chosen differently,” Autumn said, “I suppose that’s natural, since it presents an obstacle now, but…”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “It’s more than just that,” Kyle said.&nbsp; “Lately I’ve had many reasons to regret the choices I made in my early training.&nbsp; When I first started following the path of the artificer, I’d assumed I’d end up in some workshop somewhere, making potions and magical trinkets to sell.&nbsp; But that was when I thought I’d never get very far studying magic, before I realized my true potential.&nbsp; I’m not that same laborer playing at being a wizard; I haven’t been for some time now.&nbsp; Artifice just doesn’t hold the same joy for me that it used to; my ambitions have evolved.”Autumn nodded in understanding.&nbsp; For years her highest ambition had been to join the Order of the Sentinels and serve them; now she was a duchess in control of a significant portion of the Tlaxan Empire.“And even if I still enjoyed making magical items as much as I used to, there’s no time for me to create anything worthwhile, either for myself, or us, or for the Alliance.&nbsp; We just don’t have days to sit around, or the gold to spare on materials – both are resources in short supply, and the more things I create, the more of both I need.&nbsp; These days, I look at what it would cost to make a wand, and I see the salaries of two thousand mercenary troops.&nbsp; I think of making an amulet, and I picture a month’s supplies for an entire dwarven battalion.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “The war won’t last forever,” Autumn said.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I know, but then some other threat will take its place.&nbsp; If it’s not the Taurics, it’s the psions.&nbsp; Or fanatic cults, or Xhintai warlords, or scheming devils, or whatever. This is our life Autumn, for better or for worse.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Merciful Bail,” Autumn said, “I had no idea you felt this way.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “How could you?” Kyle said with a half-hearted smile.&nbsp; “We’ve been separated the past few months.&nbsp; And it wasn’t until I read the Codex today that my fears were really confirmed.”&nbsp; Kyle looked down at the fire and poked it again.&nbsp; “I hadn’t realized how much this demiplane idea was keeping me going, keeping my spirits up.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “You still have me,” Autumn said, this time giving in to her urge and cradling Kyle’s head to her shoulder.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I know, but I need something besides you and the others,” Kyle explained.&nbsp; “Something that’s just for me, something that lets me know I did everything in my power to leave the world better than I found it.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; It was a simple, almost naïve wish, made all the more powerful by the fact that Kyle probably had the potential to make it happen.&nbsp; “Surely there’s another way,” Autumn said.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kyle shook his head.&nbsp; “That’s what I’d hoped.&nbsp; But you can’t invest metamagic into created items unless you know how to do it in the first place, so I can’t just simulate the knowledge.&nbsp; Besides which, this task requires a good measure of both careful preparation and spontaneous adjustment; the first is easy, the second is impossible with magical devices.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Well, why can’t you learn this metamagic stuff?&nbsp; You’re not exactly an old man, you know.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “When would I find the time?&nbsp; Who would teach me?&nbsp; I’m not an old man, but I'm not an apprentice wizard any more, Autumn, and most mages I know aren’t too keen on taking on a student who exceeds their own ability.&nbsp; Besides, with the war going on everyone’s too busy.&nbsp; I even hear the Tower is considering canceling this year’s courses to free up staff for the war effort.&nbsp; And even if I could, it’s not the same.&nbsp; People are always better at things they learn early in their profession than with things they learn later.&nbsp; I’m too used to looking at magic in a particular way for metamagic to come easily to me.”Kyle snuffed out a loose ember with the end of his staff. “I know, I sound pretty negative right now.&nbsp; I feel that way.&nbsp; But I’ve looked at this problem from every angle I can think of, and I just don’t have the skills to pull it off.”&nbsp; He straightened up, pulling slowly away from Autumn’s embrace.&nbsp; “Perhaps I should consider returning the Codex to Myndrila.&nbsp; I’m sure she’ll be pleased to have it back, and who knows?&nbsp; Maybe she can find someone to complete the project, though Erito knows how she would convince a mage to help psions.”Autumn watched Kyle stand up and walk slowly toward their tent.&nbsp; “My watch is almost over,” she called out, “I’ll be in soon.”Kyle nodded.“But don’t wait up for me,” she added.&nbsp; “Try and get some sleep.&nbsp; Maybe things will look better in the morning.”“Maybe,” he said, unconvinced.Autumn’s heart ached to see him so forlorn.&nbsp; “Sweet dreams,” she called out.&nbsp; This time he didn’t respond as he ducked into the tent.Lanara returned a minute later.&nbsp; “Boy, I’m glad that’s over.&nbsp; He was starting to get me depressed.”“Were you listening in?” Autumn asked.“Of course I was, dear.&nbsp; Had to make sure nobody did anything stupid.&nbsp; You’re armed, you know.”“I see.”Lanara laughed.&nbsp; “I’m teasing you, Autumn!&nbsp; Really, I didn’t hear that much, just kept an ear on the general tone of the conversation.&nbsp; Wanted to make sure I didn’t walk in at a bad moment.”&nbsp; She stole a look back at Kyle and Autumn’s tent.&nbsp; “Think he’ll be okay?&nbsp; Want me to try talking to him?”“Not yet,” Autumn said, “we’ll see how it goes.”*&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kyle was asleep when Autumn came in from her watch.&nbsp; She pulled her armor off quietly while Lanara went to wake up Tolly and Crystal for their watch, and then laid down next to him.&nbsp; She was asleep herself within moments, one arm draped over her husband’s body.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; She awoke some time later to a strange, but pleasant sensation.&nbsp; She opened her eyes to darkness; it wasn’t morning yet, so she couldn’t have been asleep for more than a couple of hours.&nbsp; She was too tired to properly focus, even with darkvision, and so it took a moment for her to discern what was happening.&nbsp; The touch of a familiar hand brought her fully awake.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Kyle?” she whispered, “what are you doing?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I’m just giving the most beautiful, most wonderful woman in the world the attention she deserves,” he said with a chuckle.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “But why…?&nbsp; I thought that…”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; He silenced her with a kiss.&nbsp; “Because of what you said to me.&nbsp; It’s sheer genius.&nbsp; It’s perfect.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I don’t understand, Kyle.&nbsp; What did I say that…”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; And then Kyle did something else, and at that moment asking questions became a very low priority for Autumn.
*&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; On the next day’s march through the mountains, Kyle was in high spirits.&nbsp; He laughed and joked with the rest of the party, and didn’t seem to care when half of the jokes he told fell flat.&nbsp; And he was affectionate toward Autumn to the point that even Tolly’s normally stoic apprentice Crystal was compelled to comment on it, and by afternoon the party insisted that the two of them walk at opposite ends of their traveling line.&nbsp; Despite this, he still wouldn’t explain what had so drastically changed his mood, saying that he didn’t want to jinx it.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; By the time they stopped for the night to camp, Kyle seemed almost jittery with excitement.&nbsp; He rushed through camp preparations, and the evening meal.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Well, good night!” he called out suddenly.&nbsp; He stood up, kissed Autumn on the cheek, and disappeared into his tent.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The others looked at each other.&nbsp; There was still a full hour of sunlight remaining.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Tolly reached over and picked up the skin Kyle had been drinking from. He pulled out the stopper and sniffed.&nbsp; “Water,” he said, “that’s not it.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “And I don’t recall seeing him stop to eat any strange mushrooms or lichens,” Arrie mused.&nbsp; She turned to Autumn.&nbsp; “What did you do to him last night?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “And are you willing to share your techniques with others?” Lanara added.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I didn’t do anything!” the sentinel protested.&nbsp; “We just talked.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Of course,” Tolly commented, “That’s what I heard from your tent last night.&nbsp; A lot of deep… conversation.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I swear, we’re going to start sleeping inside a rope trick from now on,” Autumn muttered.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Promise?” Arrie asked.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I’ll give you some rope!” Lanara added.&nbsp; “For the spell, of course.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I’m going to go tend to the horses,” Autumn said, standing quickly.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “We don’t have any horses, Autumn,” Arrie pointed out.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Then I’m going to swing my axe around for a while before I turn in,” she said.&nbsp; “I’m sure you’ll have much more fun speculating on the details of my marriage if I’m not here to interject any reality into the conversation.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Sir,” Crystal asked Tolly as Autumn walked off, “do you always discuss each other’s moments of intimacy so openly?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “No, just theirs.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “That is good,” Crystal said.&nbsp; “I feared I would have to swear a vow of celibacy while in your service.”*&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Inside the tent, Kyle dreamed.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; He floated through an alien landscape, his form given purpose and solidity by the spell he’d cast before laying down.&nbsp; Though he had the sensation of being far from his physical form, he knew that in other ways he wasn’t that far away at all.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; He looked around at the vast, multicolored terrain around him that conformed to no normal geography.&nbsp; There were dozens of concentrated points of color that Kyle knew represented the dreams of all sorts of myriad creatures, including those of his companions.&nbsp; He was tempted to peek into some of those dreams, but the spell he was using would not allow him to deviate from his target, and besides which he had no way of determining which of those dreamscapes belonged to which person.&nbsp; He noted that one of the nearby dream points seemed particularly dense; he would have guessed that one belonged to Arrie, but she had first watch, and was probably still awake.&nbsp; Kyle had no idea who else would have such intense dreams.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; After a while, Kyle felt a pull on his magically created form, and there was a sudden sensation of movement.&nbsp; The points representing individual dreams began to flit past like a swarm of dragonflies, appearing and receding all around him.&nbsp; In the distance, Kyle saw something moving at an odd angle; perhaps another mage using the same spell as him but heading for a different destination, or perhaps some sort of strange dreamscape entity that arcanists could only theorize about.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Suddenly, there was a shift, and instead of flying along through a kaleidoscopic soup, Kyle found himself walking up a path toward a mansion built atop a sea cliff.&nbsp; He looked around, but could see no trace of where he’d come from.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; He continued walking until he came to the main door of the mansion.&nbsp; The place was utterly silent, other than the distant sound of crashing waves.&nbsp; Kyle knocked on the door, and waited.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; After an hour with no sign of any response, Kyle felt a little discouraged. He could feel his spell urging him to enter the house, knowing the target of his spell was inside.&nbsp; But he knew there was no way he was getting inside without being let in.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Sighing, Kyle pulled a pen, ink, and a sheet of parchment out of his pockets.&nbsp; He sat down in the entryway and scrawled a quick note on the parchment.&nbsp; He put away the ink and pen and produced a hammer and nail, and with three quick strikes he nailed the parchment to the door.&nbsp; He stepped back, and then there was a sudden rush of color all around him before he found himself back in his tent, looking up at the ceiling.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Next to him, Autumn stirred slightly.&nbsp; “S’okay?” she mumbled.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Yes, dear, I’m fine.&nbsp; Go back to sleep.”&nbsp; He smiled when he heard her snore in response.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I guess that all I can do is wait,” he said quietly to himself, before rolling over and going back to sleep.
*&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kyle got his answer the next night.&nbsp; He was having a rather bizarre dream where he was playing cards with a hound archon, an astral deva, a bralani eladrin, a succubus, and a kyton.&nbsp; He was looking at his cards, and realizing that they were blank, when he looked up and realized that the dealer at the table had changed.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Hello, Kyle,” Aran said.&nbsp; He looked around.&nbsp; “You have interesting dreams.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I’m glad you think so,” Kyle said, as the other five players in the game slowly faded away, “I’m sure you must see plenty of them.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Indeed.&nbsp; I received your message.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Good, I was wondering about that.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I don’t see how I could have missed it.&nbsp; Using arcane magic to manipulate the Dreaming is… unsubtle, Kyle.&nbsp; I would advise against using that method to contact me in the future.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I didn’t see any problems with it,” Kyle protested.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “And as a wizard, you wouldn’t have.&nbsp; But to my people, you accomplished the metaphysical equivalent of knocking on my front door with a trebuchet.&nbsp; Fortunately, at this point your group’s affiliation with me is no great secret, and your message contained no information other than your desire to talk.&nbsp; So, here I am.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Thank you.&nbsp; Aran, I need your help in order to complete the demiplane project I told you about just before my wedding.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I sympathize, Kyle, truly I do, and I admire your goals.&nbsp; But I’ve already explained that I will not divulge the secrets of the Dreaming to you.&nbsp; The Dreaming is the one metaphysical realm we psions have that is free from both arcane and divine meddling.&nbsp; I will not relinquish the medium through which I exert my powers.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I know.&nbsp; That’s not what I want.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Aran’s eyebrows arched inquisitively.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I know enough about psionics that I know that some of you have the ability to delve deeply into a person’s memories and experiences, and if they’re willing you can even alter those memories to grant a person new knowledge.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “You’re referring to the psychic reformation power,” Aran said.&nbsp; “I possess this ability myself.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Would you use it on me?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Aran looked carefully at Kyle.&nbsp; “For what purpose?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Among other reasons, I will need to be well versed in metamagic in order for the demiplane to have even the slightest chance of working as I want it to,” Kyle explained.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Understand,” said Aran, “that I can’t just insert new knowledge and training into your mind.&nbsp; I have to alter existing knowledge, erase things you know now.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I understand,” replied Kyle.&nbsp; “I want you to rework all of my training as an artificer.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The master psion blinked in surprise.&nbsp; “I thought that magical artifice was your primary focus of study.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “It is… it was.&nbsp; Things change, and sometimes drastic measures are needed.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “This will require a rather extensive change in your psyche…” Aran mused.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Then you’ll do it?” Kyle asked.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Aran gave Kyle a warning look.&nbsp; “There will be a cost to you.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Nothing I’m not familiar with as an artificer.&nbsp; I’m prepared to pay.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “It is more than that,” he warned.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “It will cost some of your life force as well,” Kyle said, “I know, and if there’s anything I can do…”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Aran waved his hand.&nbsp; “The cost to me is an insignificant matter.&nbsp; I know that you are doing this for our sake, so I will gladly part with it.&nbsp; But this procedure will alter a significant part of who you are.&nbsp; And there are other complications possible.&nbsp; Your psyche is suffused with arcane power, and as you know magic and psionics do not mix well.&nbsp; Your heritage, and the artifact you carry, will further complicate matters.&nbsp; I can’t predict all of the effects.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kyle thought for a moment.&nbsp; “I’m willing to risk it if you are.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Very well.&nbsp; I will need to prepare.&nbsp; I will contact you tomorrow night to begin.&nbsp; I suggest that you give your companions some warning; the procedure will take several hours to complete, and they will not be able to wake you until I’m finished.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Thank you,” said Kyle, as they both stood up.&nbsp; “I appreciate this, really I do.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Glad to help where I can.&nbsp; Good luck to you.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “You too,” Kyle said.&nbsp; “See you tomorrow.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kyle faded from Aran’s sight as the psion exited the wizard’s dreamscape.&nbsp; He began walking back to his domain through the polychromatic swirls of the Dreaming.&nbsp; Waiting nearby was his assistant, the dromite Tek.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Your meeting went well, master? Tek asked.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Reasonably so, Aran replied.&nbsp; I will need to return tomorrow for more extensive work.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Is everything all right, master?&nbsp; You appear troubled.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Aran turned back to look at the spot of intensified color that represented Kyle’s dreams.&nbsp; The wizard has completed another circuit on his spiral, Aran replied at last. It remains to be seen in what direction that spiral progresses.*&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; *&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Autumn woke up early, and was somewhat startled to see that Kyle was still sleeping next to her. Normally he was up and about well before she was, so having him still next to her was an unexpected, but pleasant surprise.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Well, you said last night that we wouldn’t be able to wake you up,” she said, after her initial efforts to rouse Kyle produced no results.&nbsp; “I didn’t realize that it’d last this long.&nbsp; I hope you wake up soon, because we need to pack up and get going.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; A moment later, Lanara called out to the couple.&nbsp; “You two up yet?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I am, but Kyle isn’t,” Autumn called back.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Well, then, write some dirty words on his forehead or something.&nbsp; That’ll teach him to sleep in.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Autumn chuckled.&nbsp; “You should be very grateful that I’m not Lanara,” she said to herself.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Why is that?” Kyle asked.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Oh! I didn’t realize you were awake.&nbsp; How are you?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “I’m fine, I guess,” he said.&nbsp; “But who are you?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Autumn’s smile faded.&nbsp; “What?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “You seem familiar, ma’am, but I can’t quite put a name to your face,” Kyle replied.&nbsp; He spoke with a heavy rural accent, which he hadn’t had for years.&nbsp; “My head feels kinda fuzzy, ma’am.&nbsp; Did I fall off a roof or somethin’?&nbsp; You must be a healer.”&nbsp; He gave her a lopsided grin.&nbsp; “And a far sight prettier one than Old Dame Gezell back in Potter’s Creek.&nbsp; ‘Course, that’s not sayin’ much, no offense to you or nothin’.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Autumn started to panic.&nbsp; “Arrie?&nbsp; Tolly?” she shouted.&nbsp; “Anyone?&nbsp; Help!”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kyle quickly sat up, looking worried.&nbsp; “Now now, calm down, ma’am.&nbsp; There’s no problem here.&nbsp; I wasn’t trying to…” Kyle looked at Autumn again, who was still dressed only in her smallclothes, and he immediately turned his head and covered his eyes.&nbsp; “Aw, gee, ma’am, I didn’t realize you weren’t decent.&nbsp; No wonder you thought I was… are you here for healin’ too?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Autumn was about to shout for help again, when she heard a voice in her mind.&nbsp; Please, stay calm. Slowly, Autumn relaxed as she recognized the speaker.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kyle, seeing the strange blonde woman suddenly staring off into space, decided to keep quiet for a bit.&nbsp; He wasn’t sure why he was laying in a tent with a half-dressed woman, but it certainly didn’t seem to be the good situation it normally would be.&nbsp; Whoever she was, she sounded like she had friends close by.&nbsp; Not that she needed friends; she looked like she could break him in half on her own.&nbsp; And if the staff on the ground nearby was any indication, she was a wizard too.&nbsp; Probably one of them archmages from Trageon knowing my luck, he thought forlornly, she’ll probably have me thrown off the top of that big Tower they’ve got.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Forgive me, Aran continued inside Autumn’s head, I’d hoped to contact you sooner, but I needed a few moments to rest after the night’s efforts.&nbsp; I also wanted to contact your companions briefly, to assure them that there was no danger.&nbsp; Your husband will be fine, and the amnesia will pass relatively quickly. He is in the process of reintegrating his memories.&nbsp; Did he explain what was happening to him tonight?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Not really.&nbsp; He just said we wouldn’t be able to wake him up.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Probably trying to spare you from worry, without realizing that by keeping you ignorant, he would create greater worry.&nbsp; Well, we all have our lapses in judgment.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Aran explained briefly to Autumn what he had done to Kyle over the course of the night.&nbsp; There may be other effects of the procedure, which I can’t fully predict. I had to draw upon the psychic memories of other mages to make the proper alterations to Kyle’s mind – he may manifest brief personality changes or periods of erratic behavior.&nbsp; Ideally he would spend the next few days in seclusion while his mind heals, but sadly that’s a luxury you lack.&nbsp; His talents as a wizard should be unaffected, once he recalls that he has them.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Is there anything I can do to help him? Autumn asked.&nbsp;Try not to read too much into what he says or does in the next few days, Aran advised.&nbsp; And just be supportive.&nbsp; I will be in touch. There was a brief pause.&nbsp; I would recommend that Kyle be kept away from any sensitive conversations or negotiations until he fully heals. But given your current location, I assume that is not going to be a problem.Autumn felt Aran’s presence recede from her mind.&nbsp; She looked over at Kyle, who was grinning like a fiend as a tiny ball of light hovered an inch off his open palm.“Looky here!” he said with glee, “I can do magic!”----------------------------Of course, the psychic reformation power doesn't actually say anything about after-effects, but I always thought that there would have to be consequences for having a significant chunk of your memory just rewritten.&nbsp; Thus, this story.&nbsp; I'd intended to really roleplay this to the hilt for a couple of sessions afterward, but I ended up toning it down, because it would've been too disruptive to everyone else.&nbsp; No sense spoiling everyone's fun so I can have a few laughs.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Delemental, post: 3065453, member: 5203"] [b]Metamorphosis[/b] For this week's update, I bring you one of a couple of pieces of fiction written by various people. Apparently we had all this pent-up creativity during our game hiatus. This piece, "Metamorphosis" was written by yours truly. When I posted Kyle's stats a while back, I mentioned that our DM had allowed some significant character revisions after the hiatus. This story is my account of Kyle's changes. The next story I'll post, which was written by Sinewgrab (Tolly's player), is along the same lines, his account of how Tolly was changed. -------------------------- Autumn pulled the tent flap aside and stepped inside, eager to get out of the cold mountain air. She blinked at the bright light inside, much brighter than the twilight sky she’d just come from. Kyle was sitting on their bedroll, with one of his light globes floating in the air over his shoulder. A large book sat on his lap. The book was a familiar sight to her, as she’d seen her husband reading from it almost daily before they had been separated by the war. But unlike other times, when he was eagerly turning pages in Jovol’s Codex to learn its secrets, this time he was just staring at the pages, his brow furrowed. On the far side of their tent, she saw a pile of the magical treasures that they had taken from the giants in the silver mine, items that Kyle had said he would examine tonight to determine what they did. The pile looked untouched. “Help me with my armor?” she asked. Kyle didn’t look up, but waved his hands in the air. An [I]unseen servant[/I] appeared, and she felt it move close and start to pull at the straps holding her plate armor. Autumn was about to snap at Kyle, but then paused. Normally he was eager to help her get into and out of her armor (more so the latter); this almost dismissive behavior was inexplicably odd. Autumn finished shedding her armor, arranging it carefully next to their bed so that in the event of a night attack she could pull on a few crucial pieces before joining battle. She then pulled off the heavy padding underneath, though she waited until the [I]unseen servant[/I] popped out of existence before shedding the rest of her garments; she knew that the servant was nothing but a magical construct with no true will or perception, but she still felt uncomfortable undressing in front of one. The aasimar slid into the bedding next to Kyle, glad that the cooling mountain air had not yet penetrated inside the tent. Normally it wouldn’t have been an issue, as Autumn would have left her smallclothes and padding on in case there was an ambush. But right now her mind was not on battle readiness. After all, they’d only been together for two days after being separated during the early stages of the Tauric invasion, and most of that spent traveling or fighting giants. “Kyle, can you scratch my back?” For the past two weeks, she’d had an annoying, nearly constant itch between her shoulder blades that hadn’t responded to any of the ointments her valet had bought for her. One of Kyle’s hands rose into the air, and he started to mutter something. “If you summon a [I]mage hand[/I], I will break your fingers.” The muttering stopped, and Kyle reached over and began scratching down her spine. At first, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the temporary relief. But after a while she grew dissatisfied. Kyle’s efforts were effective, but half-hearted at best, and she grew acutely aware that his hand had not wandered from its duty in the slightest, something that was usually a persistent problem with her husband. Briefly, Autumn began to contemplate what Lanara would do in a situation like this, until she realized that the bard had probably never faced the problem of having a man ignore her while she was sitting naked next to them. Autumn decided that her usual direct approach was the best. “Kyle, what’s wrong?” “Nothing,” he grunted. He withdrew his hand. “‘Nothing’?” she echoed. “You sound like a petulant child. Out with it, or you sleep outside tonight.” “Fine. I’ve just spent the last half-hour having my dreams and ambitions crushed, that’s all.” She laughed; the statement was so dramatic that at first she thought it was another one of Kyle’s poorly executed jokes. But she stopped when he didn’t react in kind. There was a long, pregnant silence in the tent. She was about to make another comment, when two things happened that stopped her cold. She saw his eyes well up with tears – not tears of pain, or guilt, or embarrassment, but of a deeper sadness, the tears of lost hope. But what truly shocked her was when Kyle slammed the metallic covers of the Codex shut, and then hurled the tome out of the tent with a shout of rage. She saw the book slam into a nearby rock through the tent flap, and then her view was obscured as Kyle stormed out of the tent himself, heading off into the night. Autumn sat there for a moment, stunned. She had an urge to run after him, but realized that she was still unclothed. As she began to fumble for her smallclothes, a head poked into the tent. The sentinel yelped and clutched a blanket up in front of herself. “Everything okay, sis?” Arrie asked. “What’s going on here? Do I need to go hurt someone?” “No!” she shouted, aware that she was shaking a little. She was replaying the image of Kyle throwing Jovol’s Codex out of the tent. The book on planar metaphysics was priceless, and irreplaceable, and according to her husband was the key to his ambitions. Autumn looked at Arrie, who was waiting for more of an explanation. “It’s fine, Arrie,” Autumn said hurriedly. “I mean, it isn’t, but… just let him go, okay? He’ll come back.” “Okay,” Arrie said, sounding unconvinced. She ducked out for a moment, and then came back into the tent, holding the Codex. “You want to hold on to this for him? I know Kyle’s been reading this a lot, I doubt he really wants it to stay outside all night. I assume it’s important or something.” [I]Arrie, you have no idea.[/I] “Yes, please, put it over there.” She pointed into the corner of the tent. When Arrie set the Codex down, Autumn saw with relief that it looked none the worse for wear. She tossed a blanket over it; no sense letting the book be the first thing Kyle saw when he came back. “Are you sure you’re all right?” Arrie asked. “I will be. Go back to your watch.” “Okay, but if you need to talk…” “I know where to find you,” Autumn finished for her. “But right now I’m feeling a little… exposed, so could you close the tent flap? And come get me for the next watch – don’t try and take a double watch for my sake.” “Yeah, like I’d really miss out on my beauty sleep for your sake,” Arrie teased. They both knew that if Autumn hadn’t said anything, Arrie probably would have taken both watches. Kyle hadn’t returned by the time Autumn was roused for her watch, and didn’t come back until well into the night. Lanara had received a brief report of the earlier incident from Arrie, and so had let Autumn take the lead on the conversation. This, of course, had led to a fairly quiet evening. Kyle came into the camp and sat down next to Autumn on a rock. Lanara looked at the two of them. “Oh, gee, look at the moons,” Lanara said, glancing up at the overcast sky. “Time for my long perimeter patrol.” The cansin stood up and walked away from the fire, pulling her cloak around her shoulders tightly. Kyle handed Autumn a handful of scraggly yellow wildflowers. “Not much to pick from out here,” he said quietly. “The altitude, you know… and it’s pretty late in the year.” “They’re lovely,” Autumn said. “But I should be the one giving you flowers. I shouldn’t have laughed. I was so annoyed that you weren’t paying attention to me that I did the same to you.” “I understand,” he replied. “Can we be friends again?” she said with a smile. “Friends and more,” Kyle laughed, and leaned over to kiss her. “So, tell me what you read in the Codex that upset you so much,” Autumn said. She had the urge to rest Kyle’s head on her shoulder and stroke his hair, but she realized that while wearing full plate it wouldn’t exactly be the comforting gesture she intended. She settled for holding his hands. Kyle sighed. “I don’t think I’ll be able to do what I had hoped to do.” “Why not? You seemed to think that it was possible, with a little more study…” “That was before I started reading tonight. Actually, I’ve suspected it for a while, but my reading confirms it.” “Well, what’s the problem?” Autumn asked. “In order to pull off the necessary modifications to the demiplane, I would need to have mastered the manipulation of raw magical energy to a degree I simply can’t manage.” “What do you mean?” “There are ways to manipulate spells to improve their effects by investing additional energy into them. You can make them travel farther, affect a larger area, last longer, or change the energies they use. You can alter the way they are cast so they can be discharged without sound, or gestures, or even with just a single word. Many mages pursue this knowledge to varying degrees.” Kyle poked at the fire with the end of his staff. “I never did.” “Why not? Surely you had a good reason.” “I did, or so I thought. When I first started training as a wizard under Professor Vorsha, I gravitated toward the path of the artificer… making magic items. It seemed a good fit at the time – I still considered myself more a laborer than a mage, and I was good at working with my hands. I understood the theories of metamagic, but it seemed so… impractical. So I never pursued it.” “You sound like you wish you’d chosen differently,” Autumn said, “I suppose that’s natural, since it presents an obstacle now, but…” “It’s more than just that,” Kyle said. “Lately I’ve had many reasons to regret the choices I made in my early training. When I first started following the path of the artificer, I’d assumed I’d end up in some workshop somewhere, making potions and magical trinkets to sell. But that was when I thought I’d never get very far studying magic, before I realized my true potential. I’m not that same laborer playing at being a wizard; I haven’t been for some time now. Artifice just doesn’t hold the same joy for me that it used to; my ambitions have evolved.” Autumn nodded in understanding. For years her highest ambition had been to join the Order of the Sentinels and serve them; now she was a duchess in control of a significant portion of the Tlaxan Empire. “And even if I still enjoyed making magical items as much as I used to, there’s no time for me to create anything worthwhile, either for myself, or us, or for the Alliance. We just don’t have days to sit around, or the gold to spare on materials – both are resources in short supply, and the more things I create, the more of both I need. These days, I look at what it would cost to make a wand, and I see the salaries of two thousand mercenary troops. I think of making an amulet, and I picture a month’s supplies for an entire dwarven battalion.” “The war won’t last forever,” Autumn said. “I know, but then some other threat will take its place. If it’s not the Taurics, it’s the psions. Or fanatic cults, or Xhintai warlords, or scheming devils, or whatever. This is our life Autumn, for better or for worse.” “Merciful Bail,” Autumn said, “I had no idea you felt this way.” “How could you?” Kyle said with a half-hearted smile. “We’ve been separated the past few months. And it wasn’t until I read the Codex today that my fears were really confirmed.” Kyle looked down at the fire and poked it again. “I hadn’t realized how much this demiplane idea was keeping me going, keeping my spirits up.” “You still have me,” Autumn said, this time giving in to her urge and cradling Kyle’s head to her shoulder. “I know, but I need something besides you and the others,” Kyle explained. “Something that’s just for me, something that lets me know I did everything in my power to leave the world better than I found it.” It was a simple, almost naïve wish, made all the more powerful by the fact that Kyle probably had the potential to make it happen. “Surely there’s another way,” Autumn said. Kyle shook his head. “That’s what I’d hoped. But you can’t invest metamagic into created items unless you know how to do it in the first place, so I can’t just simulate the knowledge. Besides which, this task requires a good measure of both careful preparation and spontaneous adjustment; the first is easy, the second is impossible with magical devices.” “Well, why can’t you learn this metamagic stuff? You’re not exactly an old man, you know.” “When would I find the time? Who would teach me? I’m not an old man, but I'm not an apprentice wizard any more, Autumn, and most mages I know aren’t too keen on taking on a student who exceeds their own ability. Besides, with the war going on everyone’s too busy. I even hear the Tower is considering canceling this year’s courses to free up staff for the war effort. And even if I could, it’s not the same. People are always better at things they learn early in their profession than with things they learn later. I’m too used to looking at magic in a particular way for metamagic to come easily to me.” Kyle snuffed out a loose ember with the end of his staff. “I know, I sound pretty negative right now. I feel that way. But I’ve looked at this problem from every angle I can think of, and I just don’t have the skills to pull it off.” He straightened up, pulling slowly away from Autumn’s embrace. “Perhaps I should consider returning the Codex to Myndrila. I’m sure she’ll be pleased to have it back, and who knows? Maybe she can find someone to complete the project, though Erito knows how she would convince a mage to help psions.” Autumn watched Kyle stand up and walk slowly toward their tent. “My watch is almost over,” she called out, “I’ll be in soon.” Kyle nodded. “But don’t wait up for me,” she added. “Try and get some sleep. Maybe things will look better in the morning.” “Maybe,” he said, unconvinced. Autumn’s heart ached to see him so forlorn. “Sweet dreams,” she called out. This time he didn’t respond as he ducked into the tent. Lanara returned a minute later. “Boy, I’m glad that’s over. He was starting to get me depressed.” “Were you listening in?” Autumn asked. “Of course I was, dear. Had to make sure nobody did anything stupid. You’re armed, you know.” “I see.” Lanara laughed. “I’m teasing you, Autumn! Really, I didn’t hear that much, just kept an ear on the general tone of the conversation. Wanted to make sure I didn’t walk in at a bad moment.” She stole a look back at Kyle and Autumn’s tent. “Think he’ll be okay? Want me to try talking to him?” “Not yet,” Autumn said, “we’ll see how it goes.” [CENTER]* * *[/CENTER] Kyle was asleep when Autumn came in from her watch. She pulled her armor off quietly while Lanara went to wake up Tolly and Crystal for their watch, and then laid down next to him. She was asleep herself within moments, one arm draped over her husband’s body. She awoke some time later to a strange, but pleasant sensation. She opened her eyes to darkness; it wasn’t morning yet, so she couldn’t have been asleep for more than a couple of hours. She was too tired to properly focus, even with darkvision, and so it took a moment for her to discern what was happening. The touch of a familiar hand brought her fully awake. “Kyle?” she whispered, “what are you doing?” “I’m just giving the most beautiful, most wonderful woman in the world the attention she deserves,” he said with a chuckle. “But why…? I thought that…” He silenced her with a kiss. “Because of what you said to me. It’s sheer genius. It’s perfect.” “I don’t understand, Kyle. What did I say that…” And then Kyle did something else, and at that moment asking questions became a very low priority for Autumn. [CENTER] * * *[/CENTER] On the next day’s march through the mountains, Kyle was in high spirits. He laughed and joked with the rest of the party, and didn’t seem to care when half of the jokes he told fell flat. And he was affectionate toward Autumn to the point that even Tolly’s normally stoic apprentice Crystal was compelled to comment on it, and by afternoon the party insisted that the two of them walk at opposite ends of their traveling line. Despite this, he still wouldn’t explain what had so drastically changed his mood, saying that he didn’t want to jinx it. By the time they stopped for the night to camp, Kyle seemed almost jittery with excitement. He rushed through camp preparations, and the evening meal. “Well, good night!” he called out suddenly. He stood up, kissed Autumn on the cheek, and disappeared into his tent. The others looked at each other. There was still a full hour of sunlight remaining. Tolly reached over and picked up the skin Kyle had been drinking from. He pulled out the stopper and sniffed. “Water,” he said, “that’s not it.” “And I don’t recall seeing him stop to eat any strange mushrooms or lichens,” Arrie mused. She turned to Autumn. “What did you do to him last night?” “And are you willing to share your techniques with others?” Lanara added. “I didn’t do anything!” the sentinel protested. “We just talked.” “Of course,” Tolly commented, “That’s what I heard from your tent last night. A lot of deep… conversation.” “I swear, we’re going to start sleeping inside a [I]rope trick[/I] from now on,” Autumn muttered. “Promise?” Arrie asked. “I’ll give you some rope!” Lanara added. “For the spell, of course.” “I’m going to go tend to the horses,” Autumn said, standing quickly. “We don’t have any horses, Autumn,” Arrie pointed out. “Then I’m going to swing my axe around for a while before I turn in,” she said. “I’m sure you’ll have much more fun speculating on the details of my marriage if I’m not here to interject any reality into the conversation.” “Sir,” Crystal asked Tolly as Autumn walked off, “do you always discuss each other’s moments of intimacy so openly?” “No, just theirs.” “That is good,” Crystal said. “I feared I would have to swear a vow of celibacy while in your service.” [CENTER]* * *[/CENTER] Inside the tent, Kyle dreamed. He floated through an alien landscape, his form given purpose and solidity by the spell he’d cast before laying down. Though he had the sensation of being far from his physical form, he knew that in other ways he wasn’t that far away at all. He looked around at the vast, multicolored terrain around him that conformed to no normal geography. There were dozens of concentrated points of color that Kyle knew represented the dreams of all sorts of myriad creatures, including those of his companions. He was tempted to peek into some of those dreams, but the spell he was using would not allow him to deviate from his target, and besides which he had no way of determining which of those dreamscapes belonged to which person. He noted that one of the nearby dream points seemed particularly dense; he would have guessed that one belonged to Arrie, but she had first watch, and was probably still awake. Kyle had no idea who else would have such intense dreams. After a while, Kyle felt a pull on his magically created form, and there was a sudden sensation of movement. The points representing individual dreams began to flit past like a swarm of dragonflies, appearing and receding all around him. In the distance, Kyle saw something moving at an odd angle; perhaps another mage using the same spell as him but heading for a different destination, or perhaps some sort of strange dreamscape entity that arcanists could only theorize about. Suddenly, there was a shift, and instead of flying along through a kaleidoscopic soup, Kyle found himself walking up a path toward a mansion built atop a sea cliff. He looked around, but could see no trace of where he’d come from. He continued walking until he came to the main door of the mansion. The place was utterly silent, other than the distant sound of crashing waves. Kyle knocked on the door, and waited. After an hour with no sign of any response, Kyle felt a little discouraged. He could feel his spell urging him to enter the house, knowing the target of his spell was inside. But he knew there was no way he was getting inside without being let in. Sighing, Kyle pulled a pen, ink, and a sheet of parchment out of his pockets. He sat down in the entryway and scrawled a quick note on the parchment. He put away the ink and pen and produced a hammer and nail, and with three quick strikes he nailed the parchment to the door. He stepped back, and then there was a sudden rush of color all around him before he found himself back in his tent, looking up at the ceiling. Next to him, Autumn stirred slightly. “S’okay?” she mumbled. “Yes, dear, I’m fine. Go back to sleep.” He smiled when he heard her snore in response. “I guess that all I can do is wait,” he said quietly to himself, before rolling over and going back to sleep. [CENTER] * * *[/CENTER] Kyle got his answer the next night. He was having a rather bizarre dream where he was playing cards with a hound archon, an astral deva, a bralani eladrin, a succubus, and a kyton. He was looking at his cards, and realizing that they were blank, when he looked up and realized that the dealer at the table had changed. “Hello, Kyle,” Aran said. He looked around. “You have interesting dreams.” “I’m glad you think so,” Kyle said, as the other five players in the game slowly faded away, “I’m sure you must see plenty of them.” “Indeed. I received your message.” “Good, I was wondering about that.” “I don’t see how I could have missed it. Using arcane magic to manipulate the Dreaming is… unsubtle, Kyle. I would advise against using that method to contact me in the future.” “I didn’t see any problems with it,” Kyle protested. “And as a wizard, you wouldn’t have. But to my people, you accomplished the metaphysical equivalent of knocking on my front door with a trebuchet. Fortunately, at this point your group’s affiliation with me is no great secret, and your message contained no information other than your desire to talk. So, here I am.” “Thank you. Aran, I need your help in order to complete the demiplane project I told you about just before my wedding.” “I sympathize, Kyle, truly I do, and I admire your goals. But I’ve already explained that I will not divulge the secrets of the Dreaming to you. The Dreaming is the one metaphysical realm we psions have that is free from both arcane and divine meddling. I will not relinquish the medium through which I exert my powers.” “I know. That’s not what I want.” Aran’s eyebrows arched inquisitively. “I know enough about psionics that I know that some of you have the ability to delve deeply into a person’s memories and experiences, and if they’re willing you can even alter those memories to grant a person new knowledge.” “You’re referring to the [I]psychic reformation[/I] power,” Aran said. “I possess this ability myself.” “Would you use it on me?” Aran looked carefully at Kyle. “For what purpose?” “Among other reasons, I will need to be well versed in metamagic in order for the demiplane to have even the slightest chance of working as I want it to,” Kyle explained. “Understand,” said Aran, “that I can’t just insert new knowledge and training into your mind. I have to alter existing knowledge, erase things you know now.” “I understand,” replied Kyle. “I want you to rework all of my training as an artificer.” The master psion blinked in surprise. “I thought that magical artifice was your primary focus of study.” “It is… it was. Things change, and sometimes drastic measures are needed.” “This will require a rather extensive change in your psyche…” Aran mused. “Then you’ll do it?” Kyle asked. Aran gave Kyle a warning look. “There will be a cost to you.” “Nothing I’m not familiar with as an artificer. I’m prepared to pay.” “It is more than that,” he warned. “It will cost some of your life force as well,” Kyle said, “I know, and if there’s anything I can do…” Aran waved his hand. “The cost to me is an insignificant matter. I know that you are doing this for our sake, so I will gladly part with it. But this procedure will alter a significant part of who you are. And there are other complications possible. Your psyche is suffused with arcane power, and as you know magic and psionics do not mix well. Your heritage, and the artifact you carry, will further complicate matters. I can’t predict all of the effects.” Kyle thought for a moment. “I’m willing to risk it if you are.” “Very well. I will need to prepare. I will contact you tomorrow night to begin. I suggest that you give your companions some warning; the procedure will take several hours to complete, and they will not be able to wake you until I’m finished.” “Thank you,” said Kyle, as they both stood up. “I appreciate this, really I do.” “Glad to help where I can. Good luck to you.” “You too,” Kyle said. “See you tomorrow.” Kyle faded from Aran’s sight as the psion exited the wizard’s dreamscape. He began walking back to his domain through the polychromatic swirls of the Dreaming. Waiting nearby was his assistant, the dromite Tek. [I] Your meeting went well, master?[/I] Tek asked. [I]Reasonably so,[/I] Aran replied. [I]I will need to return tomorrow for more extensive work.[/I] [I]Is everything all right, master? You appear troubled.[/I] Aran turned back to look at the spot of intensified color that represented Kyle’s dreams. [I]The wizard has completed another circuit on his spiral[/I], Aran replied at last. [I] It remains to be seen in what direction that spiral progresses.[/I] [CENTER]* * *[/CENTER] Autumn woke up early, and was somewhat startled to see that Kyle was still sleeping next to her. Normally he was up and about well before she was, so having him still next to her was an unexpected, but pleasant surprise. “Well, you said last night that we wouldn’t be able to wake you up,” she said, after her initial efforts to rouse Kyle produced no results. “I didn’t realize that it’d last this long. I hope you wake up soon, because we need to pack up and get going.” A moment later, Lanara called out to the couple. “You two up yet?” “I am, but Kyle isn’t,” Autumn called back. “Well, then, write some dirty words on his forehead or something. That’ll teach him to sleep in.” Autumn chuckled. “You should be very grateful that I’m not Lanara,” she said to herself. “Why is that?” Kyle asked. “Oh! I didn’t realize you were awake. How are you?” “I’m fine, I guess,” he said. “But who are you?” Autumn’s smile faded. “What?” “You seem familiar, ma’am, but I can’t quite put a name to your face,” Kyle replied. He spoke with a heavy rural accent, which he hadn’t had for years. “My head feels kinda fuzzy, ma’am. Did I fall off a roof or somethin’? You must be a healer.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “And a far sight prettier one than Old Dame Gezell back in Potter’s Creek. ‘Course, that’s not sayin’ much, no offense to you or nothin’.” Autumn started to panic. “Arrie? Tolly?” she shouted. “Anyone? Help!” Kyle quickly sat up, looking worried. “Now now, calm down, ma’am. There’s no problem here. I wasn’t trying to…” Kyle looked at Autumn again, who was still dressed only in her smallclothes, and he immediately turned his head and covered his eyes. “Aw, gee, ma’am, I didn’t realize you weren’t decent. No wonder you thought I was… are you here for healin’ too?” Autumn was about to shout for help again, when she heard a voice in her mind. [I]Please, stay calm.[/I] Slowly, Autumn relaxed as she recognized the speaker. Kyle, seeing the strange blonde woman suddenly staring off into space, decided to keep quiet for a bit. He wasn’t sure why he was laying in a tent with a half-dressed woman, but it certainly didn’t seem to be the good situation it normally would be. Whoever she was, she sounded like she had friends close by. Not that she needed friends; she looked like she could break him in half on her own. And if the staff on the ground nearby was any indication, she was a wizard too. [I]Probably one of them archmages from Trageon knowing my luck,[/I] he thought forlornly, [I]she’ll probably have me thrown off the top of that big Tower they’ve got.[/I] [I]Forgive me[/I], Aran continued inside Autumn’s head, [I]I’d hoped to contact you sooner, but I needed a few moments to rest after the night’s efforts. I also wanted to contact your companions briefly, to assure them that there was no danger. Your husband will be fine, and the amnesia will pass relatively quickly. He is in the process of reintegrating his memories. Did he explain what was happening to him tonight?[/I] [I]Not really. He just said we wouldn’t be able to wake him up.[/I] [I]Probably trying to spare you from worry, without realizing that by keeping you ignorant, he would create greater worry. Well, we all have our lapses in judgment.[/I] Aran explained briefly to Autumn what he had done to Kyle over the course of the night. T[I]here may be other effects of the procedure, which I can’t fully predict. I had to draw upon the psychic memories of other mages to make the proper alterations to Kyle’s mind – he may manifest brief personality changes or periods of erratic behavior. Ideally he would spend the next few days in seclusion while his mind heals, but sadly that’s a luxury you lack. His talents as a wizard should be unaffected, once he recalls that he has them.[/I] [I]Is there anything I can do to help him?[/I] Autumn asked. [I]Try not to read too much into what he says or does in the next few days,[/I] Aran advised. [I]And just be supportive. I will be in touch. [/I] There was a brief pause. [I]I would recommend that Kyle be kept away from any sensitive conversations or negotiations until he fully heals. But given your current location, I assume that is not going to be a problem.[/I] Autumn felt Aran’s presence recede from her mind. She looked over at Kyle, who was grinning like a fiend as a tiny ball of light hovered an inch off his open palm. “Looky here!” he said with glee, “I can do magic!” ---------------------------- Of course, the [I]psychic reformation[/I] power doesn't actually say anything about after-effects, but I always thought that there would have to be consequences for having a significant chunk of your memory just rewritten. Thus, this story. I'd intended to really roleplay this to the hilt for a couple of sessions afterward, but I ended up toning it down, because it would've been too disruptive to everyone else. No sense spoiling everyone's fun so I can have a few laughs. [/QUOTE]

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