===Player Characters===
[[Image:LuciusIcon.png|75px]] [[Image:Zyindraicon.png|75px]] [[Image:Sabbathicon.png|75px]]
===Important NPCs===
''none yet''
===Locations===
* [[Fao Barony|Fao Manor]], a broken down estate in the Barony of Fao.
===Adventurer's Log===
During the week between finding Olivin dead and the halflings arriving, Lucius is found, one noontime, sitting at the kitchen table watching Zyindra make the meal. With everything that has been going on over the weeks, all the duties to be attended to and the emergencies to manage, there has been very little time to just sit and enjoy the company of friends. So Lucius sits and watches, a rare moment of unmasked Luciusness before he became Baron.

"You should use those spice you used last night. Those were really good." Lucius says with a bit of hopefulness. "What were they called?"
<hr/>
"With last night's fish, I was using salted fish as a base, adding sliced onions, dill, parsley, raw garlic, and lemon, along with a sprinkle of cinnamon." Zyindra offers, happy to explain as she works. "That combination will not work nearly so well on this dried venison. The meat's texture is different, and it has not been pre-salted." Still she turns and offers a smile to the dark-haired young ''man'' behind her.

"I promise, I will find a good combination." Indeed, she is already simmering the meat on a pan with olive oil, letting the dried meat soak that up and loosen, relaxing and softening as she works in freshly ground peppers and a tumeric base cayenne juice not unlike a tabasco. The best smell in the kitchen, even so, is Zyindra's freshly baking small loaves of honeyed pumpernickel.

"How are you feeling?" Zyindra inquires, as she continues cooking.
<hr/>
Lucius gets up and goes over to the oven, taking a deep whiff of the aroma emanating from it. He fills his lungs with the sweet smell and then lets it out slowly before he turns around to face Zyindra. "Busy. I've been spending extra time to help train Mareet and make sure Cecile is ready to take the lead when we finally get enough residents to warrant a larger fighting group. Sebastian continues to bombard me with important items that need my decision right away and he fusses over every task. We've lost our Librarian who I'm pretty certain was more important than any of us could have imagined. We've got to find a new librarian with special qualifications, find that lost shard, destroy the creature that was my Cousin and ensure he doesn't find the Lost General. Then there is that strange man with the mushrooms and the other oddities all around us. And of course Dru is being Dru. I have no wounds, or other ailments. I am not sick in any way thanks to your adept skills and am assured that I am tick free. Overall, I suppose I can say is I am well, thank you. How are you feeling?"
<hr/>
Zyindra smirks a bit as Lucius takes his time delivering a rendition of all of the bits and pieces demanding a portion of his limited but vitally necessary attentions, but she listens patiently while she continues her preparations.

"I believe you are very right about our lamented librarian. In truth, I suspect he may well have been even more important than I believed, but I do not yet have proof enough to affirm my suppositions." she mentions, honestly.

"I understand all of the things weighing upon you, Lucius. I do sometimes wonder what else some of us can do to step in and assist you. I do what I can, but I also do not wish to undermine your authority."

"I am enjoying working on cataloging the new library, however."
<hr/>
"Oh? You have suppositions? What thoughts are you holding hostage?" Lucius teases, coming back to sit down on the stool near Zyindra. "I am glad you are enjoying cataloguing the library. I can assure you that is most helpful. I don't think I can handle rifling through so many books. Have you found anything of note? Perhaps something to shed more light regarding what this particular shard represents and why Olivin found it necessary to extend his life for so long?"
<hr/>
"No hostages." Zyindra quips back, as she continues cooking, busying hands as her mind processes. She has begun the effort of folding and refolding the meat in the pan as it soaks up the oil, and with it the flavor of the spices and such simmering with it.

"There are quite a few interesting volumes. I have managed to find what appears to have been Olivin's inventory, and I am in the process of cross-checking against the current contents of the library to see if there are any volumes present that are not in that inventory, or any that are missing." the redheaded teen witch explains.

"One of the things I was looking for was evidence of a personal journal. Thus far, the inventory is the closest I have found to that, but I will continue to look. I do not recall any specific texts on Obsidian, but I will go over the list a second time to make sure."

Zyindra pauses with the meat, leaving it to simmer on its own, as she opens the iron doors to the oven and uses magic to carry the hot loaf pans over to a safe spot on the counter. Quick and sure movements of her knife free the loaves from their pans, letting them pop out so that she can place them in a basket and cover them with a gingham-pattern cloth.

"I assume any texts with information on the Invaders would also be a priority for us."
<hr/>
"Invaders, previous Barons, geography of the area," Lucius notes as he leans over and sneaks a whiff of the simmering meat. "Anything like that would be helpful. I was thinking, have you considered his journal was in the books? Like margin notes or letters in the books themselves?"
<hr />
"There are quite literally thousands of books. I am at this point about two thirds of the way through the inventory check." Zyindra offers, before she continues explaining. With the bread loaves tucked away in their gingham blankets, she moves to check on the meat once more, and the pan withe mixed veggies as well - some of their company don't eat meat, after all.

"I can tell you that they are all in excellent, indeed pristine condition. They have hardly been touched, except perhaps very lightly and gently, and they have been expertly and finely repaired wherever they might have previously had damage. There are no signs of margin notes, other missives, or any loose inserts in any of the books I have checked thus far. From what I have seen, I imagine Olivin would have considered such a thing sacrilege."

"What there is on the Invaders are simply copies of rather widespread texts. Nothing different or unique. The only data on the geography of the barony would be a copy of the original survey map - of which we already had one, though this one is a bit larger - and a copy of the original survey report upon which it was based. It is woefully narrow in scope, covering only from here to the watchtower."

"On the prior barons, there is a family bible covering the original hereditary rulers, and property records covering its various transfers. Until yourself, none of those have ever taken permanent residence within the barony. Originally given to a Scapolite general, and inherited by his son, the barony lay fallow when the Empire fell. The Onyxish Cryptocracy never filled the position, although the property was bought and sold several times, passing to various hands as a retreat. When it became a part of the Amethystish Empire it was eventually given to a baron who died without issue. He was eventually replaced by another, who died less than a year ago, also without issue. Then it was given to you."

Zyindra finally decides it is time, and removes the meat from the stove's heat, covering the container to keep the moisture and heat in. She does the same with the veggies, and then starts assembling plates. "That is what I have found so far. Not terribly helpful, I know. I am sorry."
<hr/>
Lucius gets up from his seat and takes the plates from Zyindra, standing in front of her and making sure he has her full attention.

"Don't be sorry," He starts, hesitating a moment as his gaze rests upon Zyindra. A swirl of emotions reflect in his face: uncertainty, sadness, love, anxiousness, determination. It ends with a stubborn, pleading insistence "You are not a servant or a child. You do not take orders from me and everything you do is a welcome kindness."

He fiddles with the plates like a nervous boy talking to a girl for the first time; his question skews from anything that might've been expected he would say next. "Do you think I've changed?"
<hr/>
Naturally the redheaded teen witch gives Lucius her attention when he seeks it, though she was trying to get those plates onto trays, and her hands itch to gather them up. "I was not trying to imply anything else, Lucius. Only that some disappointment in the current results would be only natural, and I wished it were not so."

She considers him for a bit after his question, perhaps mulling over the right thing to say or way to say it. "Haven't we all changed, at least a bit?" she first says, smiling. "I feel we all have, at least a bit. But I still see the person - my friend - that I knew, despite any changes. What there has been has been minor, and largely induced simply by the responsibilities thrust upon you. And their weight."
<hr/>
Lucius has watched Zyindra stack the plates, the silverware, and the cups. He has watched her fold the napkins and pour the gravies. Whether they were in Vesicule, Barony Fao or somewhere in between, he's spent plenty of time hanging out in the kitchen. He turns and places the plates on the appropriate tray and then moves to the drawer where the silverwear is hidden and starts pulling out the right amounts.

"I guess I don't feel like I've changed. The burden of the Barony isn't much different than the burden of my family. It's not exactly where I thought I would be but it's not dissimilar either. Sometimes I sense that my friends are treating me like I'm vastly different than what I was. Of course I didn't really expect to have any real friends, so I suppose that's different." As he talks, Lucius counts and recounts the silverware, stops and then starts again as he continues to talk. "You know, Olivin had collected books that my father had written."
<hr/>
"As I said, I feel whatever changes that may have occurred have been rather minor." Zyindra offers, smiling.

She watches him take care of laying things out without interrupting or fidgeting, recognizing that he wants to do this. Instead she leans against the counter while lightly stroking the head of her walking stick, fingers idly tracing patterns of the wood's shape around the pieces of totem crystals embedded in the stick.

"I saw the name." Zyindra admits. "But I had not been sure it was your father, or simply another who shared his name." Of course, she knows his father is a poet. But surely he is not he only poet of that name in Krystallos' history?

"I do not believe we are treating you vastly differently. I surely hope not." Zyindra answers at last. "Our mode of address may have changed, especially in front of others." Calling him the Baron, of course. "But that is only our effort - clumsy, perhaps - to reinforce your authority and support you in the eyes of others who do not know you as we do."
<hr/>
Lucius takes the silverware and places it on the tray. "I do not know any other Zachary Delanoire who has written the titles collected by Olivin."

He turns to face Zyindra. "I'm sure you saw the margin note next to the books in the ledger. Ever since I saw them, I can't get the words out of my mind. It's silly really. Why would I even care what he thinks? Or what anyone thinks?"
<hr/>
Zyindra glances at Lucius once more, and then away as they finish assembling the meal. "Of course I saw the notes. But I thought little of them." Which sounds dismissive, and is to some extent. But it is not meant to be dismissive of her friend's emotions, as she clarifies momentarily.

"I believe he was honestly expressing a hope, generated from literally hundreds of years of his own observations, that you might prove a better baron than the dozen or so absentee landlords who had come before, who cared nothing for this place, the people, or the betterment of these lands. And I should venture to say that you have already proven far better than all of those who came before."

"You are here, working daily to improve what you can in this place, and to build a future homeland for your own people and all those who might seek refuge here. And that lies beyond actually worrying over how to prevent the furtherance of the devastation visited upon Krystallos' lands and peoples by the Invaders."
<hr/>
Small circles of gray color Lucius' cheeks before he turns away to grab the cups and place them on the tray. "I guess that makes sense. He was relatively old and saw more nobility pass through the Barony than most."

He turns back to Zyindra again. "I know I've protested my assignment as the Baron of Fao. When I arrived at Borderpoint, when we met for the first time, I expected the beginning of years traveling throughout Krystallos for the company. I was looking forward to the freedom it would give me while still serving their needs. This assignment has changed all of that. But even though I would gladly give up this position, I know it's important and I know I need to succeed."
<hr/>
"And do you resent this assignment still?" Zyindra questions, turning to face Lucius rather than busying herself with minutiae and giving him the privacy to pace and express as he sees fit. This, it seems, she deems too important to simply toss off.

"Granted, you are no longer so mobile as you were expecting." The redhead nods at that. "But I daresay this assignment offers you more potential to help your people, and the Company, than you ever could have done." Of course, he has as much as said that, but it bears repeating.

"So too, it is not as if you are ensconced in a palace." Zyindra shrugs. "We go out and explore this land. And you with us. I daresay you have years of such explorations still ahead, before things could even begin to get so formalized and finished. Hopefully by the time all of that is done, you will feel more ready to settle down and stay in one place, and find the adventures of your spirit in what you can build."
<hr/>
{{nav}}

Baron Evaluations

2018-01-19T12:57:38Z

Zyindra: /* Adventurer's Log */

Baron Evaluations

2018-01-18T13:14:05Z

An Off Witch, a Dangerous Imbalance

2017-09-14T13:57:35Z

Zyindra: /* Adventurer's Log */

===Player Characters===
[[Image:LuciusIcon.png|75px]] [[Image:Zyindraicon.png|75px]] [[Image:Sabbathicon.png|75px]]
===Important NPCs===
''none yet''
===Locations===
* [[Fao Barony|Fao Manor]], a broken down estate in the Barony of Fao.
===Adventurer's Log===
The next morning, after the rather disastrous discussions of the party and her apparently over the top reaction, Zyindra is up as usual with the dawn, already preparing breakfast for everyone according to their usual preferences. She also, it seems, is trying to make things up to Sabbath, as she is in the kitchen, tossing him tiny bits of meat - mostly trimmed bits of bacon - intermittently throughout her work.

For his part, the fox is deigning to poke his head out from beneath one of the trestle tables in the kitchen to scarf these bits of treat as they are offered, and is staying close as always to his mistress. But he is not draped over her shoulders, or tangled around her feet as he would normally be. He is keeping his distance, still apparently making his displeasure known.

"Yes, of course I know they were not there. But I had not tested anyone, and they had just come from a place potentially infested with the things. I had to make sure you would be protected."
<hr/>
Usually the last one up and about, for some reason, Lucius is awake or at least as awake as he can be so early in the morning. He pushes the door to the kitchen open, stifling a yawn.

"You know you don't have to make breakfast every morning." Even as Lucius says the words, it's obvious from the look on his face that he'd be quite sad at not enjoying the good food Zyindra makes.
<hr/>
Sabbath gives a sharp little bark from his spot under the trestle table, and then turns his muzzle to watch Lucius enter. He ducks back under the table, staying out of the way, though the tip of his nose and tail are still visible.

Zyindra looks up from Sabbath at Lucius and smiles, shaking her head. "I want to eat, too. If I am going to cook for myself, why shouldn't I cook for everyone else? Everyone does better with a healthy meal first thing in the day, after all."

That green-golden glow forms in her eyes as she glances at a mug, which proceeds to sparkle as it floats over to the fire, the glow spreading to the pot in which the coffee is resting, which then tilts itself to pour out a measure. The pot resettles, and the mug floats over to Lucius.

"Your usual, this morning?" the redheaded witch then asks.
<hr/>
As is usual, Lucius is always wary around all animals including Sabbath and Kaza and unless dire circumstances force him to acknowledge them, they are merely background noise to be politely ignored.

Lucius takes the offered mug with a smirk. "Since you've already gone to the trouble. I suppose it would be rude of me to decline."
<hr/>
"Ever polite." the redheaded witch offers, the glow fading from the mug as it is taken, and from her eyes a moment later. She does not bother with magic, then, as she pulls out a plate and fills it with Lucius' usual preferred breakfast; they have all known one another quite long enough to know each other that well, and she really is the best cook in the group.

"I wanted to apologize for disrupting the meeting last night. I will speak with Shiphrah later to make my apologies to her personally, but it was your meeting." And this is the first time she is seeing anyone but Sabbath since the incident occurred. She offers this, even as she extends the filled plate to Lucius with a slight nod.
<hr/>
Lucius takes the offered plate with his free hand.

"We are all under great pressure these days. I, myself, have been known to get a upset occasionally." He motions over to the few stools in the corner for those who need a moment to sit while working in the kitchen. "Why don't we sit down and you can tell me what's bothering you?"
<hr/>
"No, really. It's alright. I don't need to burden you ..." Zyindra starts to demure, clearly intending to let the opportunity pass. She's even visibly shaking her head, when from behind Lucius comes a sharp bark. Sabbath has come out from under the trestle table to stare at Zyindra intently.

The two lock eyes for a bit, and finally Zyindra's shoulders slump a bit. Apparently feeling vindicated, Sabbath returns to all fours, swishes his tail and disappears back under the table, his work here done.

Zyindra, apparently defeated, walks over to one of the stools Lucius indicated and settles herself. Clearly, she had no problem taking responsibility and apologizing, but she really didn't want to talk about her feelings, not even with Lucius, possibly her closest friend in the party.

"The truth is, I suppose, there are two things bothering me." Zyindra begins. "The first is that the ticks upset and anger me. They can be anyone. And there is no healing the damage they do, no restoring those they affect. They are forever gone." For someone who has made it her life's work from her youngest days to help and heal others, clearly this would be upsetting. It's not hard to understand; this is not just death, but the true unmaking of the living person. Anathema.

"But more strongly, to be fair, is my fear." Zyindra looks very, very uncomfortable admitting this. This, it seems, is what she was avoiding sharing. This is what Sabbath apparently demands she share, in spite of herself. "I am terrified of this apparent threat of the sleeping god-general, Kitiara." Zyindra sighs pensively. "It - she - is a '''god-general'''. We cannot defeat that sort of power without the ''Totems'' and armies. And we have neither. We may well be destined to face this threat. But I cannot help believing that we cannot win, and we will be destroyed." And like any mortal being, Zyindra doesn't want to die. "It does not help that you are now having visions. Yet my own have been silent." Is that because of her fear? Or is there an even worse reason?
<hr/>

Lucius places his plate and mug on the counter next to the stools and listens to Zyindra as she lays out her concerns. It doesn't matter that his delectable meal might be getting cold, he shows his caring by showing that she is more important than a tasty meal. When she has finally paused he waits to see if she might say anymore before speaking himself.

Then he takes a deep breath and clasps his hands together in front of him. "I can understand why you would be upset. Those are two very serious concerns. The ticks alone are incredibly disturbing without definite ways to recognize them right away. I fear that no one can be trusted and even after trust has been obtained, it needs to be renewed."

Lucius refrains from muddling things up by adding his own feelings about trust. He lives in a world where secrets rule and trust is rarely given.

"Having to deal with a god-general on top of the horror of the ticks is beyond anyone's wildest imaginings. And it makes sense that you are afraid. I believe it's safe to say that we are all afraid." Because anyone who isn't a little bit afraid of a god-general doesn't truly understand the breadth of the problem.

"As for this vision I had, I hope that has not upset you. I had not had a chance to elaborate last night but after mulling over the possibilities, I believe the Horned Lady, an icon of Onyx, wanted to show me something. She is the keeper of secrets lost to nature and I believed she wanted to talk to me and give me a map of a location. From her I believe I now know approximately where in the Barony, there might be a lost temple."

Lucius places his hands in his lap, head bowed.

"I did not plan for it to happen and it is not something I believe is like what you experience in your visions. There was no future seeing involved or cryptic message. That day, I had gone to the temple and sought out a bit of inspiration, perhaps an epiphany from Onyx. As you know, the totems don't interfere directly in our lives except through their icons. Even so, I hoped to be inspired with a new solution to fix all the problems we're having. Even just the hint of a solution would have been welcomed. Being a Baron is not easy and I fear I am failing my people."
<hr/>
Zyindra shakes her head. "I am not blaming you, Lucius. It is what it is." And the story of how he obtained his vision certain reassures her that its source is more likely legitimate than misinformation from the ''enemy''. "But I won't say it isn't unsettling." And isn't there enough unsettling things already?

"I did get a message from the Queen this morning. She has received our messages regarding the tick, and the original intelligence on the god-general." Zyindra mentions. She did send a message on Lucius' behalf before they left for Vesicule, and finally has a response back. How she managed to send these she has not explained, other than blushing brilliantly whenever the subject was brought up. "Of course, we did not have a name then. I am paraphrasing quite a bit, but she promises that she is on the tick problem as of now. She has dealt with one who was impersonating the ambassador of Peridot to her court, and expelled the rest of their delegation to demonstrate her displeasure. She extorts us in strongest possible terms to do all we can on the front of the god-general, and leave the ticks to her efforts wherever we can."

The witch sighs. "You are not failing your people, Lucius. You are struggling against nearly impossible odds. You have a target location. We will just have to check it out carefully, and hope we can do something before this god-general can be awakened by the enemy." How, she has no idea.

Zyindra passes her hand over Lucius' plate, reheating things. "I would like to ask a few questions about this new cousin of yours, when you have the time. And I will see to scanning everyone that has come in, just to double-check."
<hr/>
Lucius nods in agreement. "Truly much is unsettling. Though I am glad to hear that the Queen is working to clean out her court. Hopefully we can trust that she is truly she and not one of them. I suppose I can inquire if there are rumours that match the Queen's actions. It will be slow to find out but where we are already is quite slow. Definitely check the others when you can."

He sighs at Zyindra's questioning of his cousin, picking his mug back up and taking a sip. It's as if he expected someone would eventually start asking questions. "What do you want to know about Drew?"
<hr/>
Zyindra frowns quite unhappily at the thought that the Queen could in fact be one of those vile, disgusting, evil ticks. That didn't have to be said, damnit.

"Well, her name, first. Why she is here?" Zyindra starts in with Lucius about Drew, shooing him to start eating lest she have to reheat the food once again. "And, if you will allow me, on a more personal note I am curious about her rather profound resemblance to the Queen."
<hr/>
Lucius turns to his food and takes a bite, savoring the flavor and spice. As most Onyxish, he loves all his food spicy and hot. He lets his appreciation for breakfast be known by taking a second and then a third bite before even beginning to answer Zyindra's questions.

"Her name is Drusilla. She's Brutus' replacement for the company. I call her Drew, but only because she calls me Lucy. You can call her Drusilla. You'll like her. Everyone likes her. If you ask me, it's most unbecoming." It's odd that perhaps he might have preferred the dislike that Brutus showed to him over the obvious niceness coming from Drusilla.

He shrugs. "The Queen? Honestly, I don't see the resemblence."
<hr/>
"Drusilla." Zyindra repeats, almost as if she is tasting the name, deciding if she feels it is the truth or not - a true label for the individual she has encountered. "I do not know why you would feel it unbecoming for a businesswoman to be liked by most who encounter her. Surely that would be of benefit to her in doing business?"

But on the question of the resemblance, Zyindra is not mincing words. "I never took you for a blind person, Lucius. Yes, she looks virtually like the Queen's twin, if not for her coloration. Even her voice is eerily similar, although her accent is different." And to be blunt, Zyindra is almost thinking that Lucius is being purposefully obtuse. It would be far from the first time, after all.
<hr/>
{{nav}}

An Off Witch, a Dangerous Imbalance

2017-09-12T02:33:23Z

Zyindra: /* Adventurer's Log */

===Player Characters===
[[Image:LuciusIcon.png|75px]] [[Image:Zyindraicon.png|75px]] [[Image:Sabbathicon.png|75px]]
===Important NPCs===
''none yet''
===Locations===
* [[Fao Barony|Fao Manor]], a broken down estate in the Barony of Fao.
===Adventurer's Log===
The next morning, after the rather disastrous discussions of the party and her apparently over the top reaction, Zyindra is up as usual with the dawn, already preparing breakfast for everyone according to their usual preferences. She also, it seems, is trying to make things up to Sabbath, as she is in the kitchen, tossing him tiny bits of meat - mostly trimmed bits of bacon - intermittently throughout her work.

For his part, the fox is deigning to poke his head out from beneath one of the trestle tables in the kitchen to scarf these bits of treat as they are offered, and is staying close as always to his mistress. But he is not draped over her shoulders, or tangled around her feet as he would normally be. He is keeping his distance, still apparently making his displeasure known.

"Yes, of course I know they were not there. But I had not tested anyone, and they had just come from a place potentially infested with the things. I had to make sure you would be protected."
<hr/>
Usually the last one up and about, for some reason, Lucius is awake or at least as awake as he can be so early in the morning. He pushes the door to the kitchen open, stifling a yawn.

"You know you don't have to make breakfast every morning." Even as Lucius says the words, it's obvious from the look on his face that he'd be quite sad at not enjoying the good food Zyindra makes.
<hr/>
Sabbath gives a sharp little bark from his spot under the trestle table, and then turns his muzzle to watch Lucius enter. He ducks back under the table, staying out of the way, though the tip of his nose and tail are still visible.

Zyindra looks up from Sabbath at Lucius and smiles, shaking her head. "I want to eat, too. If I am going to cook for myself, why shouldn't I cook for everyone else? Everyone does better with a healthy meal first thing in the day, after all."

That green-golden glow forms in her eyes as she glances at a mug, which proceeds to sparkle as it floats over to the fire, the glow spreading to the pot in which the coffee is resting, which then tilts itself to pour out a measure. The pot resettles, and the mug floats over to Lucius.

"Your usual, this morning?" the redheaded witch then asks.
<hr/>
As is usual, Lucius is always wary around all animals including Sabbath and Kaza and unless dire circumstances force him to acknowledge them, they are merely background noise to be politely ignored.

Lucius takes the offered mug with a smirk. "Since you've already gone to the trouble. I suppose it would be rude of me to decline."
<hr/>
"Ever polite." the redheaded witch offers, the glow fading from the mug as it is taken, and from her eyes a moment later. She does not bother with magic, then, as she pulls out a plate and fills it with Lucius' usual preferred breakfast; they have all known one another quite long enough to know each other that well, and she really is the best cook in the group.

"I wanted to apologize for disrupting the meeting last night. I will speak with Shiphrah later to make my apologies to her personally, but it was your meeting." And this is the first time she is seeing anyone but Sabbath since the incident occurred. She offers this, even as she extends the filled plate to Lucius with a slight nod.
<hr/>
Lucius takes the offered plate with his free hand.

"We are all under great pressure these days. I, myself, have been known to get a upset occasionally." He motions over to the few stools in the corner for those who need a moment to sit while working in the kitchen. "Why don't we sit down and you can tell me what's bothering you?"
<hr/>
"No, really. It's alright. I don't need to burden you ..." Zyindra starts to demure, clearly intending to let the opportunity pass. She's even visibly shaking her head, when from behind Lucius comes a sharp bark. Sabbath has come out from under the trestle table to stare at Zyindra intently.

The two lock eyes for a bit, and finally Zyindra's shoulders slump a bit. Apparently feeling vindicated, Sabbath returns to all fours, swishes his tail and disappears back under the table, his work here done.

Zyindra, apparently defeated, walks over to one of the stools Lucius indicated and settles herself. Clearly, she had no problem taking responsibility and apologizing, but she really didn't want to talk about her feelings, not even with Lucius, possibly her closest friend in the party.

"The truth is, I suppose, there are two things bothering me." Zyindra begins. "The first is that the ticks upset and anger me. They can be anyone. And there is no healing the damage they do, no restoring those they affect. They are forever gone." For someone who has made it her life's work from her youngest days to help and heal others, clearly this would be upsetting. It's not hard to understand; this is not just death, but the true unmaking of the living person. Anathema.

"But more strongly, to be fair, is my fear." Zyindra looks very, very uncomfortable admitting this. This, it seems, is what she was avoiding sharing. This is what Sabbath apparently demands she share, in spite of herself. "I am terrified of this apparent threat of the sleeping god-general, Kitiara." Zyindra sighs pensively. "It - she - is a '''god-general'''. We cannot defeat that sort of power without the ''Totems'' and armies. And we have neither. We may well be destined to face this threat. But I cannot help believing that we cannot win, and we will be destroyed." And like any mortal being, Zyindra doesn't want to die. "It does not help that you are now having visions. Yet my own have been silent." Is that because of her fear? Or is there an even worse reason?
<hr/>

Lucius places his plate and mug on the counter next to the stools and listens to Zyindra as she lays out her concerns. It doesn't matter that his delectable meal might be getting cold, he shows his caring by showing that she is more important than a tasty meal. When she has finally paused he waits to see if she might say anymore before speaking himself.

Then he takes a deep breath and clasps his hands together in front of him. "I can understand why you would be upset. Those are two very serious concerns. The ticks alone are incredibly disturbing without definite ways to recognize them right away. I fear that no one can be trusted and even after trust has been obtained, it needs to be renewed."

Lucius refrains from muddling things up by adding his own feelings about trust. He lives in a world where secrets rule and trust is rarely given.

"Having to deal with a god-general on top of the horror of the ticks is beyond anyone's wildest imaginings. And it makes sense that you are afraid. I believe it's safe to say that we are all afraid." Because anyone who isn't a little bit afraid of a god-general doesn't truly understand the breadth of the problem.

"As for this vision I had, I hope that has not upset you. I had not had a chance to elaborate last night but after mulling over the possibilities, I believe the Horned Lady, an icon of Onyx, wanted to show me something. She is the keeper of secrets lost to nature and I believed she wanted to talk to me and give me a map of a location. From her I believe I now know approximately where in the Barony, there might be a lost temple."

Lucius places his hands in his lap, head bowed.

"I did not plan for it to happen and it is not something I believe is like what you experience in your visions. There was no future seeing involved or cryptic message. That day, I had gone to the temple and sought out a bit of inspiration, perhaps an epiphany from Onyx. As you know, the totems don't interfere directly in our lives except through their icons. Even so, I hoped to be inspired with a new solution to fix all the problems we're having. Even just the hint of a solution would have been welcomed. Being a Baron is not easy and I fear I am failing my people."
<hr/>
Zyindra shakes her head. "I am not blaming you, Lucius. It is what it is." And the story of how he obtained his vision certain reassures her that its source is more likely legitimate than misinformation from the ''enemy''. "But I won't say it isn't unsettling." And isn't there enough unsettling things already?

"I did get a message from the Queen this morning. She has received our messages regarding the tick, and the original intelligence on the god-general." Zyindra mentions. She did send a message on Lucius' behalf before they left for Vesicule, and finally has a response back. How she managed to send these she has not explained, other than blushing brilliantly whenever the subject was brought up. "Of course, we did not have a name then. I am paraphrasing quite a bit, but she promises that she is on the tick problem as of now. She has dealt with one who was impersonating the ambassador of Peridot to her court, and expelled the rest of their delegation to demonstrate her displeasure. She extorts us in strongest possible terms to do all we can on the front of the god-general, and leave the ticks to her efforts wherever we can."

The witch sighs. "You are not failing your people, Lucius. You are struggling against nearly impossible odds. You have a target location. We will just have to check it out carefully, and hope we can do something before this god-general can be awakened by the enemy." How, she has no idea.

Zyindra passes her hand over Lucius' plate, reheating things. "I would like to ask a few questions about this new cousin of yours, when you have the time. And I will see to scanning everyone that has come in, just to double-check."
<hr/>
Lucius nods in agreement. "Truly much is unsettling. Though I am glad to hear that the Queen is working to clean out her court. Hopefully we can trust that she is truly she and not one of them. I suppose I can inquire if there are rumours that match the Queen's actions. It will be slow to find out but where we are already is quite slow. Definitely check the others when you can."

He sighs at Zyindra's questioning of his cousin, picking his mug back up and taking a sip. It's as if he expected someone would eventually start asking questions. "What do you want to know about Drew?"
<hr/>
Zyindra frowns quite unhappily at the thought that the Queen could in fact be one of those vile, disgusting, evil ticks. That didn't have to be said, damnit.

"Well, her name, first. Why she is here?" Zyindra starts in with Lucius about Drew, shooing him to start eating lest she have to reheat the food once again. "And, if you will allow me, on a more personal note I am curious about her rather profound resemblance to the Queen."
<hr/>
{{nav}}

An Off Witch, a Dangerous Imbalance

2017-09-11T03:10:51Z

Zyindra: /* Adventurer's Log */

An Off Witch, a Dangerous Imbalance

2017-09-08T12:35:02Z

Zyindra: /* Adventurer's Log */

An Off Witch, a Dangerous Imbalance

2017-09-07T12:06:25Z

Zyindra: /* Adventurer's Log */

An Off Witch, a Dangerous Imbalance

2017-09-07T01:42:44Z

Zyindra: /* Adventurer's Log */

An Off Witch, a Dangerous Imbalance

2017-09-07T00:01:37Z

Zyindra: /* Adventurer's Log */

An Off Witch, a Dangerous Imbalance

2017-09-06T14:35:13Z

Zyindra:

An Off Witch, a Dangerous Imbalance

2017-09-06T13:24:16Z

Zyindra: /* Adventurer's Log */

2017-04-28T12:52:44Z

Zyindra: /* Cypher System Character Sheet */

{{KrysInfo
|Title=Zyindra
|Image=[[image:Zportait.jpg|thumb|250px]]
|Full Name=Zyindra
|Sentence=''Touched Human Witch (flavored Adept) Who Works Miracles''
|Tier=2
|Age=19
|Homeland=Emerald Shire
|Totem=Emerald
|XP=16 Spent/16 Total
|}}
=Background=
Born prematurely while her parent's trading caravan was leaving the small Emerald Shire village of Woodsedge, along the road bordering the sea-fronted Emerald Forest, the eastern foothills of the Ruby Mountains, towards the Amazonite tribal lands and the Free City of Peridot, Zyindra was exceptional from the beginning. As her mother struggled with the premature birth in the back of her parent's covered wagon, nearby in the scrub brush, a young vixen was also giving birth, to a single kit. Born within moments of each other, the human girl's first cry was the first sound that kit ever heard, and as her eyes opened, glowing with golden green hue, that same light was reflected in the kit's eyes.

Startled and more than a bit terrified by what they had seen of their daughter, her parents abandoned her on the road, expecting the elements to claim the unnatural and freakish child and wanting nothing to do with her. They were never seen again. The child, however, was soon discovered by halflings of Woodsedge, and the warm, caring, community-centered people of that village took her in gladly, not only saving her life but giving her the best young life they could.

Young Zyindra wanted for very little. She was an open, happy child, given often to wandering around the village, trying to 'help' the people and the animals she encountered. It was not long before the toddler would encounter a young fox at the outskirts of the village, and she could often be found struggling to hold him and carry him, or giggling wildly while chasing after him as best her little feet could carry her. Bright and inquisitive, she always did all she could to learn about all of the people in the village, their tasks, and the world around them, including the languages and stories of visitors.

Zyindra's natural, inborn talent for magic was learned by her long hours spent with Sabbath, the fox she befriended in those tenderly young years. She would often exhibit tiny hints of her talents, but never anything so strong that she frightened her 'foster family' - namely, the entire village of Woodsedge.

Not wanting to be a burden to the halflings of Woodsedge, Zyindra realized she would never truly belong as a part of the village long term, given her differences. By the time she had reached puberty, she had already outgrown her 'foster family' physically, and she refused to ask for custom bed and clothing for her increasing height. Instead, she chose to leave the town. Zyindra's demonstration of talent with healing and care for the sick would lead her eventually to apprentice herself to the masters of the Cult of John the Barber, a sect of the Church of Emerald focused on learning the arts of healing by studying the body, believing as much in scientific study of anatomy, physiology and (crude) biochemistry as in faith. Here the crude beginnings of poultice and herbal tea making she had learned in the village grew to a fascination with the mysteries of alchemy in their fullest extent, and she learned ever more about healing the sick. She also began to learn more about magic beyond just what she studied from her communions with Sabbath, who accompanied her to the Cult and remained ever with her, never far from his mistress. Sabbath was her one truest friend, the touch of comfort and the familiar as she left the village for the wide world beyond.

After several years with the Cult of John the Barber, Zyindra left, finding no call within herself to the Faith of Emerald, despite her deep and profound calling to heal and help others. She began then to wander from town to town, village to village, city and land without seeming end. As comfortable in the wilds as in the villages, she helped all those that she could in her journeys. She pursued the quiet, sometimes lonely path of the witch, learning all she could along the way. Her innate curiosity and urge to help others would lead her to often lend aid to others, aiding the sick or injured, and trying to solve various small mysteries as she encountered them along her travels, where the answers might help those she found in need.

Zyindra's many journeys took her all over Krystallos, until she eventually reached Borderpoint. As always, she sought out those who might be in need of her assistance, and found Hannah, an elven healer and cleric of Emerald so ancient she actually had wrinkles! Zyindra knew she could learn much from one with such life experience, so she quick ingratiated herself with Hannah, and stayed close, finding a place to stay with Hannah in return for her efforts. But Zyindra's attempt at another quiet time in her journeys was interrupted with the Festival of Dina. The celebration held throughout Crystallos related to the Diamond Icon responsible for the founding of Diamond City held special meaning that year for Borderpoint, as it included the opening of the newly completed temple, replacing the one burned down five years previously. Yet the celebration was interrupted by the attack of goblins. Zyindra found herself compelled to lend her aid, as did others, fighting to stop the goblins and save those who were hurt.

Zyindra then lent her aid to the group of others who had battled the goblins, assisting them as they sought out the source of the goblin threat and dealt with it, and then pursued the mystery of the Skinsaw Man as it unveiled itself in Borderpoint. A vision guided Zyindra to leave Borderpoint and travel with this group as they continued on to city, and then to the desert of city. There she continued to aid them, befriending the gothic mystery of Lucius, the alchemical wonder Midge, the elven huntress Maayan and her sister the elven rogue Shiphrah as they explored ancient tomb ruins, discovering there even elements of the thought-dead Obsidian.

Still following her visions, Zyindra continued with the group as they undertook a mission to investigate a seemingly haunted base of operations for Lucius' family company, and then on to Amethyst where she encountered the Empress and a dark mystery festering at the heart of that mighty empire, earning for themselves several rewards, including a knighthood for Lucius and lands to be claimed and cleared.
=Cypher System Character Sheet=
<div style="width:32%;float:left;">
==Pools==
'''MIGHT''' 9 · '''SPEED''' 11 · '''INTELLECT''' 20 · '''RADIANCE''' 3<br/>
'''Armor''' 0
</div>
<div style="width:32%;float:left;">
==Edge & Effort==
'''MIGHT''' 0 • '''SPEED''' 0 • '''INTELLECT''' 2<br/>
'''EFFORT''' 2
</div>
<div style="width:32%;float:left;">
==Skills==
* '''Magic Lore''' ''(Trained/-1 Difficulty)''
* '''Healing''' ''(Specialized/-2 Difficulty)''
* '''Alchemy & Potions''' ''(Trained/-1 Difficulty)'' Note the ability to create one-shot assets as-needed based on alchemy & potions
* '''Cooking''' ''(Trained/-1 Difficulty)''
* '''Krystallos Lore (History & Religion)''' ''(Trained/-1 Difficulty)''
* '''Nature''' ''(Trained/-1 Difficulty)''
</div>
<br style="clear:both;" />
==Special Abilities==
*'''Hedge Magic''' (1 Intellect point): Can perform small tricks such as creating light, changing the color or basic appearance of a small object, cause small objects to float through the air, clean a small area, mend a broken object, prepare food, and so on. Cannot be used to harm another.
*'''Magic Sense:''' Can sense magic by studying an area or object for one minute.
*'''Cypher Friend:''' Can carry up to 3 cyphers without negative consequences
*'''Prehensile Hair:''' (2 Intellect points): You can reach out to 10 feet with your hair and use it to manipulate and lift objects. When performing feats of strength with your hair you use your Intellect Pool instead of your Might Pool. Your hair cannot be used to harm or grapple another.
*'''Short Range Warp:''' (2 Intellect points): You can teleport anywhere you can see within 100 feet.
*'''Resonance Field:''' (1 Intellect point): Energy patterns form around your body to block attacks. When active, defending against most attacks becomes an Intellect ability and not Might or Speed. If you get a minor or major effect the creature attacking you takes damage.
*<s>'''Ward:''' You have an energy shield around you at all times and gain +1 Armor.</s>
*'''Barrier:''' (3 Intellect points): You can create a solid, opaque, stationary energy barrier within 10 feet. The barrier can be up to 10 x 10 feet in size. It is level 2 (target number 6 to shatter) and lasts for 10 minutes. It can be placed anywhere it fits and can be floating. Each level of Effort you apply strengthens the barrier by one level.
*'''Healing Touch:''' (1 Intellect point): You touch someone and restore 1d6 points of one stat Pool to them. This is a difficulty 2 Intellect task. Each time you attempt to heal the same creature the task increases by one step. The difficulty returns to 2 after 8 hour’s rest.
*'''Alleviate:''' (3 Intellect points): You can cancel one malady (disease/poison) in one creature.
*'''Familiar:''' You have a level 2 creature which serves as a conduit to your patron power. The creature is intelligent and can speak with you, though no one else can understand it. It will not attack others but provides a +1 bonus to any action it can assist you with. You must perform a ritual each sunrise and commune with your familiar. Failure to do so results in an inability to use any ability which requires intellect points, though you can still spend Effort on non-Magical tasks.
*'''Radiance Pool:''' You have an additional Pool called Radiance that contains 3 points. When spending points from any other Pool on a task involving magic, you can tak points from your Radiance Pool to spend on Effort or ability costs. If you do so, however, the flood of radiant energy overflows and triggers a Wild Magic effect (see Flaws). Your Radiance Pool refreshes when you commune with your familiar each day.

==Equipent==
{| border="1" style="border-collapse:collapse;cell-padding=1em;width:100%;"
!| Item|| style="width:10em" | Weight|| style="width:15em" | Location
|-
|| Dagger|| 1 lb|| Belt, left
|-
|| Quarterstaff|| 4 lbs|| Held, left
|-
|| Alchemy Crafting Kit|| 5 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| backpack|| 2 lbs|| Worn, both shoulders
|-
|| bedroll|| 5 lbs|| Tied beneath the backpack
|-
|| belt pouch|| 0.5 lbs|| Belt, right
|-
|| flint & steel|| || belt pouch
|-
|| ink|| || backpack
|-
|| pen|| || backpack
|-
|| iron pot (cauldron)|| 5 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| mess kit|| 1 lbs|| inside iron pot
|-
|| soap|| || backpack
|-
|| 5 torches|| 5 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| small shovel|| 2 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| 5 days rations|| || backpack
|-
|| 3 waterskins || 16 lbs|| left shoulder
|-
|| Formula Book|| 3 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| Healer's Kit (stocked herself) -2|| 1 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| Midwife's Kit (stocked herself)|| 2 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| Surgeon's Tools (case embossed with Icon for John the Barber)|| 5 lbs|| healer's kit
|-
|| Spell Component Pouch|| 2 lbs|| waist
|-
|| Explorer's Outfit|| 8 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| 10 Candles|| || backpack
|-
|| 10 Chalk|| || backpack
|-
|| Chalkboard|| 2 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| iron skillet|| 2 lbs|| inside iron pot
|-
|| ladle|| 1 lbs|| inside iron pot
|-
|| skewer|| || inside iron pot
|-
|| wooden cutting board|| 1 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| cutting knife|| 1 lbs|| inside iron pot
|-
|| iron tripod for the pot|| 1 lb|| backpack
|-
|| packet of tinder|| || belt pouch
|-
|| selection of seasonings|| || belt pouch
|-
|| 50 foot of rope|| 10 lbs|| tied around backpack
|-
|| Sack|| 0.5 lbs|| right shoulder
|-
|| Shaving Kit|| 0.5 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| Sealing Wax|| 1 lb|| backpack
|-
|| Antidote Kit (stocked herself)|| 3 lbs|| Healer's kit
|-
|| 131gp, 19sp, 1pp|| || belt pouch
|-
|| 1 medium tent || || Crystal of holding
|-
|| winter clothing || || Crystal of holding
|-
|| Map of Tomb's location<br/>Map of Amethyst Island<br/>Map of Amethyst City<br/>Extra journal<br/>4 vials of ink<br/>10 pens<br/>Copies of metal books from tomb, translated || || Crystal of holding
|-
|| A cloak clasp made of gold in the shape of a scarab || || worn
|-
|| ancient oversized gold coin from kobold tomb || || wrapped in rag in Crystal of holding
|-
|| Magical Cooking kit (dimensional, grants Feat for ''magical cooking'') || 25 lbs || Crystal of holding
|}

=Gallery=
[[Image:mindflayer.gif|thumb|right|Mind Flayer]]
<gallery style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;">
File:Red_haired_witch.jpg|Original image as basis for Zyindra; might be color-corrected or altered
File:19f7af95035283427e0beaf2f49de2a8.jpg|Red-haired witch in the woods with a broom
File:druidwitch.jpg|Gorgeous druidic witch image, heavy inspiration
File:1348509598_Clapsholas_NiAnluain.jpg|
File:mine.jpg|
File:Ac8xN6z.jpg|
File:gothic-black-corset-prom-dressdance-all-night-with-steampunk-gothic-corsets-prom-dresses-nnrwurft.jpg|Zyindra's dress for the Casino opening
File:2015-Pouches-HOT-25Pcs-Red-Velvet-10x12cm-Gold-Trim-Drawstring-Jewelry-Gift-Bags-.jpg|Zyindra's Bag of Holding
</gallery>

{{nav}}

Zyindra

2017-04-28T12:52:11Z

Zyindra: /* Cypher System Character Sheet */

{{KrysInfo
|Title=Zyindra
|Image=[[image:Zportait.jpg|thumb|250px]]
|Full Name=Zyindra
|Sentence=''Touched Human Witch (flavored Adept) Who Works Miracles''
|Tier=2
|Age=19
|Homeland=Emerald Shire
|Totem=Emerald
|XP=16 Spent/16 Total
|}}
=Background=
Born prematurely while her parent's trading caravan was leaving the small Emerald Shire village of Woodsedge, along the road bordering the sea-fronted Emerald Forest, the eastern foothills of the Ruby Mountains, towards the Amazonite tribal lands and the Free City of Peridot, Zyindra was exceptional from the beginning. As her mother struggled with the premature birth in the back of her parent's covered wagon, nearby in the scrub brush, a young vixen was also giving birth, to a single kit. Born within moments of each other, the human girl's first cry was the first sound that kit ever heard, and as her eyes opened, glowing with golden green hue, that same light was reflected in the kit's eyes.

Startled and more than a bit terrified by what they had seen of their daughter, her parents abandoned her on the road, expecting the elements to claim the unnatural and freakish child and wanting nothing to do with her. They were never seen again. The child, however, was soon discovered by halflings of Woodsedge, and the warm, caring, community-centered people of that village took her in gladly, not only saving her life but giving her the best young life they could.

Young Zyindra wanted for very little. She was an open, happy child, given often to wandering around the village, trying to 'help' the people and the animals she encountered. It was not long before the toddler would encounter a young fox at the outskirts of the village, and she could often be found struggling to hold him and carry him, or giggling wildly while chasing after him as best her little feet could carry her. Bright and inquisitive, she always did all she could to learn about all of the people in the village, their tasks, and the world around them, including the languages and stories of visitors.

Zyindra's natural, inborn talent for magic was learned by her long hours spent with Sabbath, the fox she befriended in those tenderly young years. She would often exhibit tiny hints of her talents, but never anything so strong that she frightened her 'foster family' - namely, the entire village of Woodsedge.

Not wanting to be a burden to the halflings of Woodsedge, Zyindra realized she would never truly belong as a part of the village long term, given her differences. By the time she had reached puberty, she had already outgrown her 'foster family' physically, and she refused to ask for custom bed and clothing for her increasing height. Instead, she chose to leave the town. Zyindra's demonstration of talent with healing and care for the sick would lead her eventually to apprentice herself to the masters of the Cult of John the Barber, a sect of the Church of Emerald focused on learning the arts of healing by studying the body, believing as much in scientific study of anatomy, physiology and (crude) biochemistry as in faith. Here the crude beginnings of poultice and herbal tea making she had learned in the village grew to a fascination with the mysteries of alchemy in their fullest extent, and she learned ever more about healing the sick. She also began to learn more about magic beyond just what she studied from her communions with Sabbath, who accompanied her to the Cult and remained ever with her, never far from his mistress. Sabbath was her one truest friend, the touch of comfort and the familiar as she left the village for the wide world beyond.

After several years with the Cult of John the Barber, Zyindra left, finding no call within herself to the Faith of Emerald, despite her deep and profound calling to heal and help others. She began then to wander from town to town, village to village, city and land without seeming end. As comfortable in the wilds as in the villages, she helped all those that she could in her journeys. She pursued the quiet, sometimes lonely path of the witch, learning all she could along the way. Her innate curiosity and urge to help others would lead her to often lend aid to others, aiding the sick or injured, and trying to solve various small mysteries as she encountered them along her travels, where the answers might help those she found in need.

Zyindra's many journeys took her all over Krystallos, until she eventually reached Borderpoint. As always, she sought out those who might be in need of her assistance, and found Hannah, an elven healer and cleric of Emerald so ancient she actually had wrinkles! Zyindra knew she could learn much from one with such life experience, so she quick ingratiated herself with Hannah, and stayed close, finding a place to stay with Hannah in return for her efforts. But Zyindra's attempt at another quiet time in her journeys was interrupted with the Festival of Dina. The celebration held throughout Crystallos related to the Diamond Icon responsible for the founding of Diamond City held special meaning that year for Borderpoint, as it included the opening of the newly completed temple, replacing the one burned down five years previously. Yet the celebration was interrupted by the attack of goblins. Zyindra found herself compelled to lend her aid, as did others, fighting to stop the goblins and save those who were hurt.

Zyindra then lent her aid to the group of others who had battled the goblins, assisting them as they sought out the source of the goblin threat and dealt with it, and then pursued the mystery of the Skinsaw Man as it unveiled itself in Borderpoint. A vision guided Zyindra to leave Borderpoint and travel with this group as they continued on to city, and then to the desert of city. There she continued to aid them, befriending the gothic mystery of Lucius, the alchemical wonder Midge, the elven huntress Maayan and her sister the elven rogue Shiphrah as they explored ancient tomb ruins, discovering there even elements of the thought-dead Obsidian.

Still following her visions, Zyindra continued with the group as they undertook a mission to investigate a seemingly haunted base of operations for Lucius' family company, and then on to Amethyst where she encountered the Empress and a dark mystery festering at the heart of that mighty empire, earning for themselves several rewards, including a knighthood for Lucius and lands to be claimed and cleared.
=Cypher System Character Sheet=
<div style="width:32%;float:left;">
==Pools==
'''MIGHT''' 9 · '''SPEED''' 11 · '''INTELLECT''' 20 · '''RADIANCE''' 3<br/>
'''Armor''' 0
</div>
<div style="width:32%;float:left;">
==Edge & Effort==
'''MIGHT''' 0 • '''SPEED''' 0 • '''INTELLECT''' 2<br/>
'''EFFORT''' 2
</div>
<div style="width:32%;float:left;">
==Skills==
* '''Magic Lore''' ''(Trained/-1 Difficulty)''
* '''Healing''' ''(Specialized/-2 Difficulty)''
* '''Alchemy & Potions''' ''(Trained/-1 Difficulty)'' Note the ability to create one-shot assets as-needed based on alchemy & potions
* '''Cooking''' ''(Trained/-1 Difficulty)''
* '''Krystallos Lore (History & Religion)''' ''(Trained/-1 Difficulty)''
* '''Nature''' ''(Trained/-1 Difficulty)''
</div>
==Special Abilities==
*'''Hedge Magic''' (1 Intellect point): Can perform small tricks such as creating light, changing the color or basic appearance of a small object, cause small objects to float through the air, clean a small area, mend a broken object, prepare food, and so on. Cannot be used to harm another.
*'''Magic Sense:''' Can sense magic by studying an area or object for one minute.
*'''Cypher Friend:''' Can carry up to 3 cyphers without negative consequences
*'''Prehensile Hair:''' (2 Intellect points): You can reach out to 10 feet with your hair and use it to manipulate and lift objects. When performing feats of strength with your hair you use your Intellect Pool instead of your Might Pool. Your hair cannot be used to harm or grapple another.
*'''Short Range Warp:''' (2 Intellect points): You can teleport anywhere you can see within 100 feet.
*'''Resonance Field:''' (1 Intellect point): Energy patterns form around your body to block attacks. When active, defending against most attacks becomes an Intellect ability and not Might or Speed. If you get a minor or major effect the creature attacking you takes damage.
*<s>'''Ward:''' You have an energy shield around you at all times and gain +1 Armor.</s>
*'''Barrier:''' (3 Intellect points): You can create a solid, opaque, stationary energy barrier within 10 feet. The barrier can be up to 10 x 10 feet in size. It is level 2 (target number 6 to shatter) and lasts for 10 minutes. It can be placed anywhere it fits and can be floating. Each level of Effort you apply strengthens the barrier by one level.
*'''Healing Touch:''' (1 Intellect point): You touch someone and restore 1d6 points of one stat Pool to them. This is a difficulty 2 Intellect task. Each time you attempt to heal the same creature the task increases by one step. The difficulty returns to 2 after 8 hour’s rest.
*'''Alleviate:''' (3 Intellect points): You can cancel one malady (disease/poison) in one creature.
*'''Familiar:''' You have a level 2 creature which serves as a conduit to your patron power. The creature is intelligent and can speak with you, though no one else can understand it. It will not attack others but provides a +1 bonus to any action it can assist you with. You must perform a ritual each sunrise and commune with your familiar. Failure to do so results in an inability to use any ability which requires intellect points, though you can still spend Effort on non-Magical tasks.
*'''Radiance Pool:''' You have an additional Pool called Radiance that contains 3 points. When spending points from any other Pool on a task involving magic, you can tak points from your Radiance Pool to spend on Effort or ability costs. If you do so, however, the flood of radiant energy overflows and triggers a Wild Magic effect (see Flaws). Your Radiance Pool refreshes when you commune with your familiar each day.

==Equipent==
{| border="1" style="border-collapse:collapse;cell-padding=1em;width:100%;"
!| Item|| style="width:10em" | Weight|| style="width:15em" | Location
|-
|| Dagger|| 1 lb|| Belt, left
|-
|| Quarterstaff|| 4 lbs|| Held, left
|-
|| Alchemy Crafting Kit|| 5 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| backpack|| 2 lbs|| Worn, both shoulders
|-
|| bedroll|| 5 lbs|| Tied beneath the backpack
|-
|| belt pouch|| 0.5 lbs|| Belt, right
|-
|| flint & steel|| || belt pouch
|-
|| ink|| || backpack
|-
|| pen|| || backpack
|-
|| iron pot (cauldron)|| 5 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| mess kit|| 1 lbs|| inside iron pot
|-
|| soap|| || backpack
|-
|| 5 torches|| 5 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| small shovel|| 2 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| 5 days rations|| || backpack
|-
|| 3 waterskins || 16 lbs|| left shoulder
|-
|| Formula Book|| 3 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| Healer's Kit (stocked herself) -2|| 1 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| Midwife's Kit (stocked herself)|| 2 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| Surgeon's Tools (case embossed with Icon for John the Barber)|| 5 lbs|| healer's kit
|-
|| Spell Component Pouch|| 2 lbs|| waist
|-
|| Explorer's Outfit|| 8 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| 10 Candles|| || backpack
|-
|| 10 Chalk|| || backpack
|-
|| Chalkboard|| 2 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| iron skillet|| 2 lbs|| inside iron pot
|-
|| ladle|| 1 lbs|| inside iron pot
|-
|| skewer|| || inside iron pot
|-
|| wooden cutting board|| 1 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| cutting knife|| 1 lbs|| inside iron pot
|-
|| iron tripod for the pot|| 1 lb|| backpack
|-
|| packet of tinder|| || belt pouch
|-
|| selection of seasonings|| || belt pouch
|-
|| 50 foot of rope|| 10 lbs|| tied around backpack
|-
|| Sack|| 0.5 lbs|| right shoulder
|-
|| Shaving Kit|| 0.5 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| Sealing Wax|| 1 lb|| backpack
|-
|| Antidote Kit (stocked herself)|| 3 lbs|| Healer's kit
|-
|| 131gp, 19sp, 1pp|| || belt pouch
|-
|| 1 medium tent || || Crystal of holding
|-
|| winter clothing || || Crystal of holding
|-
|| Map of Tomb's location<br/>Map of Amethyst Island<br/>Map of Amethyst City<br/>Extra journal<br/>4 vials of ink<br/>10 pens<br/>Copies of metal books from tomb, translated || || Crystal of holding
|-
|| A cloak clasp made of gold in the shape of a scarab || || worn
|-
|| ancient oversized gold coin from kobold tomb || || wrapped in rag in Crystal of holding
|-
|| Magical Cooking kit (dimensional, grants Feat for ''magical cooking'') || 25 lbs || Crystal of holding
|}

=Gallery=
[[Image:mindflayer.gif|thumb|right|Mind Flayer]]
<gallery style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;">
File:Red_haired_witch.jpg|Original image as basis for Zyindra; might be color-corrected or altered
File:19f7af95035283427e0beaf2f49de2a8.jpg|Red-haired witch in the woods with a broom
File:druidwitch.jpg|Gorgeous druidic witch image, heavy inspiration
File:1348509598_Clapsholas_NiAnluain.jpg|
File:mine.jpg|
File:Ac8xN6z.jpg|
File:gothic-black-corset-prom-dressdance-all-night-with-steampunk-gothic-corsets-prom-dresses-nnrwurft.jpg|Zyindra's dress for the Casino opening
File:2015-Pouches-HOT-25Pcs-Red-Velvet-10x12cm-Gold-Trim-Drawstring-Jewelry-Gift-Bags-.jpg|Zyindra's Bag of Holding
</gallery>

{{nav}}

Zyindra

2017-04-28T12:49:57Z

Zyindra:

{{KrysInfo
|Title=Zyindra
|Image=[[image:Zportait.jpg|thumb|250px]]
|Full Name=Zyindra
|Sentence=''Touched Human Witch (flavored Adept) Who Works Miracles''
|Tier=2
|Age=19
|Homeland=Emerald Shire
|Totem=Emerald
|XP=16 Spent/16 Total
|}}
=Background=
Born prematurely while her parent's trading caravan was leaving the small Emerald Shire village of Woodsedge, along the road bordering the sea-fronted Emerald Forest, the eastern foothills of the Ruby Mountains, towards the Amazonite tribal lands and the Free City of Peridot, Zyindra was exceptional from the beginning. As her mother struggled with the premature birth in the back of her parent's covered wagon, nearby in the scrub brush, a young vixen was also giving birth, to a single kit. Born within moments of each other, the human girl's first cry was the first sound that kit ever heard, and as her eyes opened, glowing with golden green hue, that same light was reflected in the kit's eyes.

Startled and more than a bit terrified by what they had seen of their daughter, her parents abandoned her on the road, expecting the elements to claim the unnatural and freakish child and wanting nothing to do with her. They were never seen again. The child, however, was soon discovered by halflings of Woodsedge, and the warm, caring, community-centered people of that village took her in gladly, not only saving her life but giving her the best young life they could.

Young Zyindra wanted for very little. She was an open, happy child, given often to wandering around the village, trying to 'help' the people and the animals she encountered. It was not long before the toddler would encounter a young fox at the outskirts of the village, and she could often be found struggling to hold him and carry him, or giggling wildly while chasing after him as best her little feet could carry her. Bright and inquisitive, she always did all she could to learn about all of the people in the village, their tasks, and the world around them, including the languages and stories of visitors.

Zyindra's natural, inborn talent for magic was learned by her long hours spent with Sabbath, the fox she befriended in those tenderly young years. She would often exhibit tiny hints of her talents, but never anything so strong that she frightened her 'foster family' - namely, the entire village of Woodsedge.

Not wanting to be a burden to the halflings of Woodsedge, Zyindra realized she would never truly belong as a part of the village long term, given her differences. By the time she had reached puberty, she had already outgrown her 'foster family' physically, and she refused to ask for custom bed and clothing for her increasing height. Instead, she chose to leave the town. Zyindra's demonstration of talent with healing and care for the sick would lead her eventually to apprentice herself to the masters of the Cult of John the Barber, a sect of the Church of Emerald focused on learning the arts of healing by studying the body, believing as much in scientific study of anatomy, physiology and (crude) biochemistry as in faith. Here the crude beginnings of poultice and herbal tea making she had learned in the village grew to a fascination with the mysteries of alchemy in their fullest extent, and she learned ever more about healing the sick. She also began to learn more about magic beyond just what she studied from her communions with Sabbath, who accompanied her to the Cult and remained ever with her, never far from his mistress. Sabbath was her one truest friend, the touch of comfort and the familiar as she left the village for the wide world beyond.

After several years with the Cult of John the Barber, Zyindra left, finding no call within herself to the Faith of Emerald, despite her deep and profound calling to heal and help others. She began then to wander from town to town, village to village, city and land without seeming end. As comfortable in the wilds as in the villages, she helped all those that she could in her journeys. She pursued the quiet, sometimes lonely path of the witch, learning all she could along the way. Her innate curiosity and urge to help others would lead her to often lend aid to others, aiding the sick or injured, and trying to solve various small mysteries as she encountered them along her travels, where the answers might help those she found in need.

Zyindra's many journeys took her all over Krystallos, until she eventually reached Borderpoint. As always, she sought out those who might be in need of her assistance, and found Hannah, an elven healer and cleric of Emerald so ancient she actually had wrinkles! Zyindra knew she could learn much from one with such life experience, so she quick ingratiated herself with Hannah, and stayed close, finding a place to stay with Hannah in return for her efforts. But Zyindra's attempt at another quiet time in her journeys was interrupted with the Festival of Dina. The celebration held throughout Crystallos related to the Diamond Icon responsible for the founding of Diamond City held special meaning that year for Borderpoint, as it included the opening of the newly completed temple, replacing the one burned down five years previously. Yet the celebration was interrupted by the attack of goblins. Zyindra found herself compelled to lend her aid, as did others, fighting to stop the goblins and save those who were hurt.

Zyindra then lent her aid to the group of others who had battled the goblins, assisting them as they sought out the source of the goblin threat and dealt with it, and then pursued the mystery of the Skinsaw Man as it unveiled itself in Borderpoint. A vision guided Zyindra to leave Borderpoint and travel with this group as they continued on to city, and then to the desert of city. There she continued to aid them, befriending the gothic mystery of Lucius, the alchemical wonder Midge, the elven huntress Maayan and her sister the elven rogue Shiphrah as they explored ancient tomb ruins, discovering there even elements of the thought-dead Obsidian.

Still following her visions, Zyindra continued with the group as they undertook a mission to investigate a seemingly haunted base of operations for Lucius' family company, and then on to Amethyst where she encountered the Empress and a dark mystery festering at the heart of that mighty empire, earning for themselves several rewards, including a knighthood for Lucius and lands to be claimed and cleared.
=Cypher System Character Sheet=
==Pools==
'''MIGHT''' 9 · '''SPEED''' 11 · '''INTELLECT''' 20 · '''RADIANCE''' 3<br/>
'''Armor''' 0
==Edge & Effort==
'''MIGHT''' 0 • '''SPEED''' 0 • '''INTELLECT''' 2<br/>
'''EFFORT''' 2
==Skills==
* '''Magic Lore''' ''(Trained/-1 Difficulty)''
* '''Healing''' ''(Specialized/-2 Difficulty)''
* '''Alchemy & Potions''' ''(Trained/-1 Difficulty)'' Note the ability to create one-shot assets as-needed based on alchemy & potions
* '''Cooking''' ''(Trained/-1 Difficulty)''
* '''Krystallos Lore (History & Religion)''' ''(Trained/-1 Difficulty)''
* '''Nature''' ''(Trained/-1 Difficulty)''
==Special Abilities==
*'''Hedge Magic''' (1 Intellect point): Can perform small tricks such as creating light, changing the color or basic appearance of a small object, cause small objects to float through the air, clean a small area, mend a broken object, prepare food, and so on. Cannot be used to harm another.
*'''Magic Sense:''' Can sense magic by studying an area or object for one minute.
*'''Cypher Friend:''' Can carry up to 3 cyphers without negative consequences
*'''Prehensile Hair:''' (2 Intellect points): You can reach out to 10 feet with your hair and use it to manipulate and lift objects. When performing feats of strength with your hair you use your Intellect Pool instead of your Might Pool. Your hair cannot be used to harm or grapple another.
*'''Short Range Warp:''' (2 Intellect points): You can teleport anywhere you can see within 100 feet.
*'''Resonance Field:''' (1 Intellect point): Energy patterns form around your body to block attacks. When active, defending against most attacks becomes an Intellect ability and not Might or Speed. If you get a minor or major effect the creature attacking you takes damage.
*<s>'''Ward:''' You have an energy shield around you at all times and gain +1 Armor.</s>
*'''Barrier:''' (3 Intellect points): You can create a solid, opaque, stationary energy barrier within 10 feet. The barrier can be up to 10 x 10 feet in size. It is level 2 (target number 6 to shatter) and lasts for 10 minutes. It can be placed anywhere it fits and can be floating. Each level of Effort you apply strengthens the barrier by one level.
*'''Healing Touch:''' (1 Intellect point): You touch someone and restore 1d6 points of one stat Pool to them. This is a difficulty 2 Intellect task. Each time you attempt to heal the same creature the task increases by one step. The difficulty returns to 2 after 8 hour’s rest.
*'''Alleviate:''' (3 Intellect points): You can cancel one malady (disease/poison) in one creature.
*'''Familiar:''' You have a level 2 creature which serves as a conduit to your patron power. The creature is intelligent and can speak with you, though no one else can understand it. It will not attack others but provides a +1 bonus to any action it can assist you with. You must perform a ritual each sunrise and commune with your familiar. Failure to do so results in an inability to use any ability which requires intellect points, though you can still spend Effort on non-Magical tasks.
*'''Radiance Pool:''' You have an additional Pool called Radiance that contains 3 points. When spending points from any other Pool on a task involving magic, you can tak points from your Radiance Pool to spend on Effort or ability costs. If you do so, however, the flood of radiant energy overflows and triggers a Wild Magic effect (see Flaws). Your Radiance Pool refreshes when you commune with your familiar each day.

==Equipent==
{| border="1" style="border-collapse:collapse;cell-padding=1em;width:100%;"
!| Item|| style="width:10em" | Weight|| style="width:15em" | Location
|-
|| Dagger|| 1 lb|| Belt, left
|-
|| Quarterstaff|| 4 lbs|| Held, left
|-
|| Alchemy Crafting Kit|| 5 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| backpack|| 2 lbs|| Worn, both shoulders
|-
|| bedroll|| 5 lbs|| Tied beneath the backpack
|-
|| belt pouch|| 0.5 lbs|| Belt, right
|-
|| flint & steel|| || belt pouch
|-
|| ink|| || backpack
|-
|| pen|| || backpack
|-
|| iron pot (cauldron)|| 5 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| mess kit|| 1 lbs|| inside iron pot
|-
|| soap|| || backpack
|-
|| 5 torches|| 5 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| small shovel|| 2 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| 5 days rations|| || backpack
|-
|| 3 waterskins || 16 lbs|| left shoulder
|-
|| Formula Book|| 3 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| Healer's Kit (stocked herself) -2|| 1 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| Midwife's Kit (stocked herself)|| 2 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| Surgeon's Tools (case embossed with Icon for John the Barber)|| 5 lbs|| healer's kit
|-
|| Spell Component Pouch|| 2 lbs|| waist
|-
|| Explorer's Outfit|| 8 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| 10 Candles|| || backpack
|-
|| 10 Chalk|| || backpack
|-
|| Chalkboard|| 2 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| iron skillet|| 2 lbs|| inside iron pot
|-
|| ladle|| 1 lbs|| inside iron pot
|-
|| skewer|| || inside iron pot
|-
|| wooden cutting board|| 1 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| cutting knife|| 1 lbs|| inside iron pot
|-
|| iron tripod for the pot|| 1 lb|| backpack
|-
|| packet of tinder|| || belt pouch
|-
|| selection of seasonings|| || belt pouch
|-
|| 50 foot of rope|| 10 lbs|| tied around backpack
|-
|| Sack|| 0.5 lbs|| right shoulder
|-
|| Shaving Kit|| 0.5 lbs|| backpack
|-
|| Sealing Wax|| 1 lb|| backpack
|-
|| Antidote Kit (stocked herself)|| 3 lbs|| Healer's kit
|-
|| 131gp, 19sp, 1pp|| || belt pouch
|-
|| 1 medium tent || || Crystal of holding
|-
|| winter clothing || || Crystal of holding
|-
|| Map of Tomb's location<br/>Map of Amethyst Island<br/>Map of Amethyst City<br/>Extra journal<br/>4 vials of ink<br/>10 pens<br/>Copies of metal books from tomb, translated || || Crystal of holding
|-
|| A cloak clasp made of gold in the shape of a scarab || || worn
|-
|| ancient oversized gold coin from kobold tomb || || wrapped in rag in Crystal of holding
|-
|| Magical Cooking kit (dimensional, grants Feat for ''magical cooking'') || 25 lbs || Crystal of holding
|}

=Gallery=
[[Image:mindflayer.gif|thumb|right|Mind Flayer]]
<gallery style="margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;">
File:Red_haired_witch.jpg|Original image as basis for Zyindra; might be color-corrected or altered
File:19f7af95035283427e0beaf2f49de2a8.jpg|Red-haired witch in the woods with a broom
File:druidwitch.jpg|Gorgeous druidic witch image, heavy inspiration
File:1348509598_Clapsholas_NiAnluain.jpg|
File:mine.jpg|
File:Ac8xN6z.jpg|
File:gothic-black-corset-prom-dressdance-all-night-with-steampunk-gothic-corsets-prom-dresses-nnrwurft.jpg|Zyindra's dress for the Casino opening
File:2015-Pouches-HOT-25Pcs-Red-Velvet-10x12cm-Gold-Trim-Drawstring-Jewelry-Gift-Bags-.jpg|Zyindra's Bag of Holding
</gallery>

{{nav}}