It has been around 1 month and 2 weeks since Aria was taken to the Reflection Hall. Most of her days go by with her training in her inner world. During this time, Aria has been researching ways of enhancing and growing her psionic energy amplitude. Currently, she has a psionic aptitude of 8.22. Meaning she could only use low-level psion abilities before being exhausted. This was the psionic energy analysis that the dreamer explained on Arias's Psionic abilities.
Level I Powers: 1 psionic energy
Psionic Grease: Similar to the Grease spell, creating a slick surface.
Psionic Charm: Charms a humanoid via telepathy, affecting animals or outsiders Deceleration: Warps space to halve a creature's movement for a few rounds.
Vigor: Grants temporary hit points.
Astral Construct: Creates a temporary ectoplasmic creature to attack.
Precognition: Enhances AC and saving throws or attack rolls, with augment options.
Bolt: Creates ectoplasmic ammunition with attack and damage bonuses.
Claws of the Beast: Transforms hands into deadly claws with increasing damage.
Destiny Dissonance: Touch causes a foe to become sickened.
Detect Psionics: Detects active psionic powers and auras.
Energy Ray: Shoots energy (cold, electricity, fire), causing damage.
Burst: Increases land speed.
Mind Thrust: Deals damage to a creature's mind
Crystal Shard: Shoots a crystal shard for piercing damage.
Matter Agitation: Heats and damages objects or skin over rounds.
Level II Powers: 3 psionic energy
Energy Adaptation (Specified): Resistance to specific energy types.
Knock: Opens locks or doors.
Mental Rage: Psionic damage in an area, with a penalty to the manifester.
Flash Dimension Slip: Teleports the user, blinding nearby observers.
Multiply Pain: Increases damage from attacks, causing pain.
Concealing Amorpha: Creates a concealment membrane.
Animal Affinity: Boosts an ability , whether Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma.
Empathic Transfer: Transfers damage or absorbs poison/disease.
Bend Space: Warps space for long-term deflection.
Energy Stun: Area energy attack with damage and stunning effects.
Call Identification Scroll: Summons a scroll of identification.
Serenity: Calms a humanoid, preventing violence.
Clairvoyant Sense: Enhanced eye sight that allows user to see distant locations.
Insinuation: Confuses a creature.
Brain Lock: Dazes a humanoid's mind.
Inflict Pain: Causes mental anguish and penalties.
Level III Powers: 5 Psionic energy
Psionic Blast: Mind-based stun attack.
Time Hop: Temporarily hops a creature forward in time.
Body Adjustment: Heals damage.
Dispel Psionics: Ends psionic or magical effects.
Dismiss Ectoplasm: Dissipates ectoplasmic creatures/effects.
Eradicate Invisibility: Negates invisibility.
Energy Retort: Counterattack with energy.
Cerebral Phantasm: Manifests a mental illusion.
Antidote Simulation: Neutralizes poison.
Energy Burst: Explosive energy damage.
Concealing Amorpha, Greater: Better concealment.
Ectoplasmic Cocoon: Encases a creature helplessly.
Aura Sight: Detects auras.
Ubiquitous Vision: 360-degree awareness.
Level IV Powers: 7 psionic energy
Energy Ball: Large energy explosion.
Freedom of Movement: Negates movement-impairing effects.
Energy Adaptation: Resistance to energy damage.
Schism: Creates a second independent mind.
Ectoplasmic Barrier: Creates a barrier of ectoplasm.
Metamorphosis: temporary shapechange ability that alows one to change into various natural species.
Psionic Dominate: permanent Mind control and enslavement.
Mindwipe: Wipes a creature's memory.
Death Urge: Compels weak willed creatures to commit suicide.
Energy Flash: Damages and dazes a target.
Reddopsi: Rebounds powers onto the caster.
Energy Wave: Area damage wave.
Level V Powers: 9 psionic energy
Power Resistance: Grants resistance to psionic powers
Psychic Clone: Creates a duplicate of yourself.
Ectoplasmic Shambler: Summons a mist of ectoplasm that damages enemies.
Psionic True Seeing: Enhanced vision
Revivify: Revives a dead creature.
Greater Stomp: Deals significant damage in a line.
Psionic Teleport: Teleports instantly.
Lower Psionic Resistance: Penalty on the enemy's resistance.
Force Fate: Forces a creature to fail a saving throw.
Burning Blood: Heats the blood of a creature, causing damage.
Level VI Powers:11 psionic energy
Disintegrate: Destroys a creature.
Temporal Acceleration: Speeds up the user's actions.
Breath of the Black Dragon: Acid attack.
Cloud Mind, Mass: Renders multiple creatures unaware and causes mas confusion.
Psionic Restoration: Heals or removes negative effects
Dispel Buffer: Protects from dispel effects.
Crystallize: Turns a creature into a crystal.
Mind Over Energy: Immunity to a chosen energy type.
Summon Planar Ally: Summons a plane creature.
Level VII Powers:13 psionic energy
Fission: Creates a duplicate of yourself.
Insanity: Permanently confuses a creature.
Personal Mind Blank: Complete mental shielding.
Oak Body: Turns into a living oak, with resistances.
Reddopsi: Rebounds powers.
Energy Wave: Large energy cone attack.
Level VIII Powers:15 psionic energy
Mind Blank: Complete mental immunity.
Psionic Greater Teleport: Teleports you and allies.
Shadow Body: Turns into a shadow entity.
True Metabolism: Rapid healing.
Psionic Iron Body: Turns into living iron with high resistances.
Recall Death: Sees into past/future wounds, can kill or damage.
Level IX Powers: 17
Timeless Body: Becomes invulnerable for a duration.
Psychic Chirurgery: Removes mental effects.
Greater Metamorphosis: Greater Shapechange ability allowing user to temporarily change into various powerful monster forms.
Assimilate: Absorbs a creature into your body obtaining its experience and life force.
Urge Extermination: Instantly kills a weak creature.
Freezing Torrent: Large cold damage wave.
Metafaculty: Gains detailed knowledge about a creature.
Although Arias's psionic energy was growing, it was extremely slow over the months since she got the training technique from the family library. Her psionic energy has only risen by 0.22, and her being in the reflection hall did not help. During this time, Aria was using her minion, Vortex spider Azu, to find out more about Joon. Through her monitoring, she learnt that several key aspects about Joon. Despite her egoistic nature, he was a hardworking, disciplined, and cautious individual. This made Aria almost lose hope, but that was until she discovered Joran, one of the underlings who, despite being Joons an underling, he deeply despised him, but Aria still didn't know why. The one that had suffered the most during this time was Arias' maid Liza, every day as she came to bring Arias food, Arias always noticed new Injuries on her body and face. Despite all that Liza was going through, no one, not even the head maid, cared about her, and no one tended to Liza's injuries for fear of Joon's influence among the red scarved elite core. Aria on the other hand didn't have it easy either everyday Joon would come up with different ways of making Aria surfer sometime whether physically or mentally for example he would not feed Aria for days then after a while bring her food and pour it on the floor for Aria to eat, sometime she would torture Liza right torture in front of her making Aria go through psychological and sometimes beat her up to vent of her anger then heal her with magic potions to erase any evidence of him harming her but even after going through all this Aria remained resilient never once showing any sign of weakness. When she was alone, she used Azu to gain info on her mother and the inquisitor. From monitoring her mother, she learnt that the harpers were a loosely organized, semi-secret society dedicated to preserving history, maintaining balance between nature and civilization, and defending the innocent across Faerûn. They operate through informal, often clandestine cells, and are known for their symbol of a silver harp and crescent moon. They have influenced major events, fought against tyranny, and worked alongside allies like druids, bards, and various political and religious groups. Their philosophy emphasizes individual liberty, balance, and knowledge, guided by a strict but unwritten Harper Code. The organization has experienced multiple reforms and schisms, with notable members like Elminster and Storm Silverhand. They employ subtle tactics, magical communication, and secret bases, avoiding formal hierarchy to preserve their covert nature. Despite internal conflicts and external threats, the Harpers continue to adapt and survive, driven by their longstanding commitment to justice, knowledge, and the protection of the free peoples of Faerun. Currently, they are monitoring Bhaal's actions and are looking for more information concerning the Crimson blood Bhaalspawns. When it came to Inquisitor Naomi, Aria discovered that she was the one in charge of carrying out high-profile missions, especially on individuals and organizations that she deemed an annoyance to her lord, and in all her talks, one name always stood out. The mage Gorion, whoever he was, had grown to be quite a thorn.
Today, Aria is still on her cell, and it seems Joon has stopped Liza from bringing her food. "Fuck, as soon as this punishment is over, I am stocking up on as much food as possible and keeping it in my inner world," Aria says telepathically as a clanking noise comes from the door and the door begins to open. Daenerys is momentarily stunned but immediately bows her head in respect. It seems Bhaal himself has decided to visit her on her side, and it is Joon and the inquisitor. "Leave us," Bhaal says, and both the inquisitor and Joon leave immediately. "Hello, Aria, I must say I did not expect to see you here, but I sensed your mana. What did you do to end up here?"Bhaal asks. "I told mother that I did not wish to be an assassin after she told me what the gauntlet was," Aria says in a timid voice, feeling her father's pressure all around her as she continues kneeling. "Ha, ha, ha, I see, do you know that, as per our family law, all who do not become assassins must be killed to protect the family's secret techniques?"Bhaal asks. "Even so, I will stand by my principles," Aria says in a firm tone. "Hmm, let me show something," Bhaal says. "From the shadows hear my voice to my, Yinrou," Bhaal says, and a blue magic circle with a shoddy aura appears, summoning a huge shadow wolf. "Please don't kill me," Aria panickly says, thinking Bhaal is about to command the shadow wolf to kill her. " Kill you? I was just giving you a gift. You are breaking my heart, Aria. Do you really think I was going to kill you?"Bhaal asks as she gently picks Aria into her arms. "This is my shadow wolf, which I tamed during the time I adventured in the Shadowfell. I want to pass it on to you and make it your familiar. Do you accept?" Bhaal asks. "Why are you doing this? There are many other bhaalspawn who are more suitable to inherit Yinrou other than me."Aria says. "True, but none of them have the same power and conviction as you. What intrigues me about you, Aria, even now, when you are in the reflection hall, you have not despaired like most bhaaspawns who would have cried and begged for release. You remain calm and collected. Haven't you noticed yet, your gauntlet examination has already begun," Bhaal says, a small smile appearing on his face. "What, the gauntlet has already begun ?" Aria says, seemingly trying to process the info, "Did you not find it strange that your mother took you to the reflection hall just because of you wanting to follow your own path?"Bhaal says. "All candidates of the gauntlet go through this. The first step is to weed out the weak-willed. I have no need for individuals who only follow the path they have been set. I only require the strong who choose to defy their fate, even if the odds are against them. The second test was how you handled the hardships. With this test, both your physical and mental fortitude were tested. I knew Joon had a deep hatred towards you; that's why I assigned him to you. I knew he would make your life here a living hell. I wanted to see how long you would last, and I have to say you have passed. I saw what he did to you through a hidden monitoring Item on his uniform, even though he doesn't know, all my actions were to test your abilities and conviction."Bhaal says. "Wait, when did you come up with this entire test?" Aria says, shaking under the realization that even though she thought she was the one in control, that may not be the actual case. "Ha, ha, since I asked Jiyoon to deliver the letter to your mother."Bhaal says. Aria is completely left stunned momentarily with fear, trying to understand how anyone can have such a terrifying foresight. " If I accept Yinrou as my familiar, is there any catch? "Aria asks. "No, consider it a gift for passing the first part of your test." Bhaal replies. "Okay, I accept." Bhaal moves close to Aria, starts chanting a binding spell, "Lux Aeterna, Vincit Tenebras". Suddenly, a glowing magic chain glows from Aria's hand and binds and forms a collar. After a while, the spell ends. "It is done, Yinrou is now fully under your control, you can command him to return to the shadowfell when he is not needed, and when you need him, just call his name and he will appear. "Aria tries commanding Yinrou to return to the shadowfell, and he does, seemingly vanishing into Arias's shadow suddenly. She notices Bhaal smiling. "I knew you were just like me."Bhaal says. " What do you mean?"Aria asks. What I am saying is you are psionic or what is known as a Spiritual Master, a unique type of Warrior capable of harnessing and manipulating Spiritual Energy. These warriors are more powerful than ordinary fighters, who primarily rely on Genetic Energy. However, only a select few can attain the status of Spiritual Master, as spirituality is an innate talent. Only those with highly advanced spiritual abilities are capable of becoming Spiritual Masters and in feirun only a handful have activated this power." "What, how did he know about my psionic abilities? I have been extremely careful when using it," Aria says mentally. "You must be wondering how I figured it out, remember the pass I gave you, it also stores info on what you do with it, I saw you went to to the family library and requested several books on psionics no one in the family for past twenty years has searched for books on this topic, that's where I had my suspicions and after seeing you bond successfully with Yinrou my suspisions are correct. In order for anyone to make Yinrou his or her familiar, there are certain requirements: one, He or she must be able to establish a psionic link, meaning he or she must have psionic energy. Two: He or she must have a body that can support shadow magic without its negative effects. I know your body can support shadow magic because of the chains on your legs, which contain shadow magic that drains vitality and energy while blocking all mana channels on the wearer and in your case you seem only unable to use mana but your physical health is still normal meaning your body can handle and regulate shadow magic freely, and three, he or she must have awakened a demonic bloodline, you are a tiefling a being from a demonic bloodline. Do you understand now you are the only one in the family that meets this criterias?"Bhaal says. "Let me show you something, although I will only do it once, for personal reasons. You are never to tell anyone about this, even your mother." Bhaal says as his eye begins to glow in an ominous red glow and begins using a skill known as world projection. Bhaal can unleash his World Projection, and the surrounding environment begins to be enveloped in a dark, ominous red aura that strikes fear into Arias' heart. Time temporarily stops, and the space around begins to crack, and Aria's body is transported into Bhaal's inner world, releasing her from her chains. As she enters Bhaal's inner world.Bhaal's World Projection manifests as a terrifying and awe-inspiring cosmic phenomenon. They enter a world where sky is engulfed in swirling, fiery red clouds that seem to pulse with malignant energy, casting an ominous glow over the entire area. At the center, a massive, darkened celestial body, a red blackened moon hovers ominously, encircled by a faint red halo, symbolizing Bhaal's dominion. Beneath this celestial display, the water reflects the blood-red sky, shimmering with a sinister glow. Sharp, jagged spikes protrude from the surface of the water, like the remnants of a shattered realm or the thorns of some dark creature, adding to the hostile and foreboding atmosphere. The entire scene exudes a sense of dread, power, and otherworldly dominance, illustrating Bhaal's absolute control over his domain through his devastating World Projection. "This is my world projection, an ability I have mastered during my adventures and which can only be mastered by psionics. In this domain, my word is law."Bhaal says his red kimono is flowing in the red moonlight. "What I want now is to make you my direct disciple and pass on my legacy to you, Aria, for only you will be able to master my unique techniques before I lose my sanity to time. I have lived far longer than you can imagine, Aria, but time is a cruel master. Each day, I feel my sanity slipping, but before then, I wish to pass on my legacy to you. Bhaal says. "It's not like I have a choice. I doubt I can kill Bhaal. I can barely move from his pressure." Aria says mentally in a terrified tone. "Accept it for now, Aria. The most important thing now is to survive, and based on what I have seen, he still hasn't detected me or your inner world. We just have to bide our time and wait for an opportunity," The dreamer says. "Fine, I accept from this day I will be your disciple."Aria responds. "Good from this day on, you are my chosen and direct disciple," Bhaas says as she lifts Aria making her stand and summons a glowing golden ring on his hand and places it on right hand ring finger. When he put the ring on Arias ring finger the ring gave out intense heat which made the ring to bind with your ring finger's bone making it a part of her body after that he chanted a spell which he later explained to Aria that the spell he chanted made the ring to be permanently bond with not only her body but her very soul this made it impossible for it to be removed from Arias finger, he told Aria that no one not even the gods can remove or wear it even he himself can't remove or ever use it. "Shit, what have I gotten myself into?" Aria says mentally as she holds her hand, which is still in pain after the ordeal. On closer inspection, she finds thousands of magic runes engraved on the ring. "Seems we are done." Bhaal says, ending his world projection the space around them cracks returning them back to the cell. "Remember to keep everything to yourself, tell no one of what has occurred here. Also, your punishment has ended. Pack your things and follow me to the central palace. From today onward, you will be living in the central palace under my direct supervision as you wait for the 3rd generation gauntlet in 5 years. I will be monitoring your progress closely," Bhaal says as they leave together. Joon's face shows anger, wondering why Aria is being released early, but still not daring to interfere with the lord's decision. "Hey, Dad, can Liza come to the central palace and be my maid?"Aria asks while carrying his blanket, towel, and clothes. " Fine, but she better not be a distraction." Bhaal says as she takes the blanket, towel, and cloths, assisting Aria to carry them, it seems he has a soft side when it comes to her daughter. "Dad, could I ask for a favor?"Aria says, "What is it ?"Bhaal replies. "If I were to hypothetically kill Joon, would you be mad?" Aria says. "I suppose this is because of what he did to your maid." Bhaal says. "I suppose you can kill him, but you do know I was the one who manipulated his emotions, making him hate you and do all those things to you.Bhaal says. "Yes, I know, but even though you did all that, he in the end is responsible for his actions, he dared to injure my maid who had nothing to do with our conflict, and for that he must pay." Aria replies, "Fine little cub, you can kill Joon, but I have a condition. You must be able to do it without leaving any evidence leading back to you. How you do it, I don't care." Bhaal says as he gently parts Arias's head. The scene ends as they arrive at the central palace, which is an imposing fortress of grandeur and elegance. Its towering spires reach skyward, adorned with gleaming gold accents that catch the sunlight, creating a radiant glow. The structure is primarily white stone, with intricate carvings and arched windows that give it a regal appearance. Vaulted terraces and balconies overlook lush gardens and rocky cliffs, blending seamlessly into the natural landscape. Defensive towers and battlements encircle the palace, emphasizing its strength and impregnable nature.As they arrive, Bhaal hands out blankets, towels, and cloths to nearby maids who had come to welcome them and instructs them to take care of Aria and take her to her new room within the castle.