Ci

Ci (pronounced like Sai) is a level 15 Kensei Monk and Discple within the Magistery's newly formed House of Time, played by Jim

Ci - Monk of the Order of Shan Sua

Things The Player Characters Know About Ci

Ci is a human male and appears to be in his mid-20s. He has dark hair, but is most often shaved bald. He has grey eyes, and the ruddy complexion of someone often at work in the field,, is of average height, and is lithe but strong of body. When asked, he describes himself as an monk of Yanji, which he translates as "The Study." His simple, well-worn robes denote both his devotion to The Study, and his place within its hierarchy: Black robes as traditional for all Yanji Monks, with grey beneath, marking him as a Disciple. A yellow sash indicates he is currently on his Pilgrimage, a necessary step in his path to become a Master.

He says of his desire to to join the Magistery that "the lone bird, finds not his sanctuary" and "the Mountain is one, but the paths are many." Ci speaks less than most and often more quietly than others. He is prone to quoting from "The Study" and seeks first to understand, when presented a problem. When fighting, however, he fights with what might be anger or even rage, in contrast to his more common expression of serenity.

He is determined almost to the point of ruthlessness once engaged in combat, particularly in defense of the helpless or when facing a monstrous foe. One gets the sense that there is more to Ci's story than his quiet words and simple wisdom might suggest.

History

While facing the Monster that had destroyed Cassio's squad (see Game-Summaries:7/27 Recollections), it was revealed that the this creature has a connection to Ci as well. It manifested simulacrum of Ci's parents Tomas and Annika Aarden, long dead, and demonstrated knowledge of their lives at that time. It was revealed that Ci's real name is Jan, and that his parents were slaughtered when he was but a child. He was found near their corpses by a kindly monk of Shan Sua who took him in and raised him to a life of service within the monastery. It was also revealed that Ci had a brother, Finn, who was not found at the site of his parents murder, and whose whereabouts are still unknown.

Ci also revealed a bit about the origin of his name. As a young novice, haunted by visions of the loss of his family, he often displayed anger and obstinance not often seen in the Temple of Shan Sua. His peers jeeringly began to call him Ci (literally, "the angry"). Over time he slowly learned to hide and then channel his rage into his practice. His nickname, Ci, once spoken in scorn, was then spoken for its dual meaning (Ci also means "sharp thorn") in recognition of the many stings and cuts young Jan had given his peers. When a novice of Yanji is promoted to Apprentice, he must choose his own name among the order. Jan unhesitatingly chose the name given to him by the other novices: Ci.

Down Time

Ci spends most of his down time studying and training. He makes occasional trips back to his monastery to train with the masters there. If asked he claims to be training in the Path of the Beast, the last of four such Paths necessary on his Journey to become a Master of Dragons in The Order of Shan Sua.

Completed Quests

347/12/12 Baron Tedor Zevane gets lit (or They Call the Wind Zevane)

Amon, Cassio, Ci, Ember, Jeroy investigate Baron Tedor Zevane

For detailed notes from the Game, see here: Game-Summaries: 11/16/2019 Recollections

347/9/25 A wild Codex appears!

Ci, Ember, Dereth, and Cassio discover a pattern in the weave that indicates a codex's presence and investigate.

For detailed notes from the Game, see here: Game-Summaries: 9/6/2019 Recollections

347/6/18 Taking care of bandits...everyday

Amon, Cassio, Ci, Ember, and Jeroy investigate bandit attacks on the Keep's southern border and totally don't slaughter innocents.

For detailed notes from the Game, see here: Game-Summaries: 6/7/2019 Recollections

347/3/19 Aid the Elven Ambassador

Iago, Amon, Cassio, Ci, and Ember answer the request of an Elven ambassador has requests to help mediate a conflict in the fey courts.

For detailed notes from the Game, see here: Game-Summaries:3/16 Recollections

346/11/27 Agent of Entropy

Jeroy, Ci, Cassio, Ember, Pearl, and Amon are visited by Steel with a message from Seer.

For detailed notes from the game, see here: Game-Summaries:11/17 Recollections

346/11/9 The Belly of the Beast

Ci, Dereth, Cassio, Ember, Amon, and Loco infiltrate the heart of the Cult of the Kraken

For detailed notes from the game, see here: Game-Summaries:10/13 Recollections

346/9/12 Hunting Down Imphraezl

Amon, Cassio, Ci, Ember, and Sakura Hunt down Imphraezl

For detailed notes from the game, see here: Game-Summaries:8/24 Recollections

346/8/22 Shadowfell Envoys

The Black leads Ci,Ember, Rezik, Zanna, and envoys of the House of Time on a Diplomatic Mission to The Nightshade Kingdom

For detailed notes from the game, see here: Game-Summaries:8/6 Recollections

346/8/12 Cassio uncovers the whereabouts of the monster that killed his squad

Ember, Amon, Cassio, Ci, and Zanna track down the monstrosity that wiped out Cassio's squad.

For detailed notes from the game, see here: Game-Summaries:7/27 Recollections

346/7/13 Investigate mysterious new island appearing off the coast of Kraken's Landing

Coin, Cassio, Ci, Ember, Jeroy, Pearl investigate the rumor of a mysterious new island off the coast of Kraken's Landing.

For detailed notes from the game, see here: Game-Summaries:6/30 Recollections:

346/6/11 The Battle of Toldoth

An Abyssal portal opened in the sky east of Toldoth, and demons came pouring in.

For detailed notes, see here: Game-Summaries:5/31 Recollections

346/5/5 Return to the Kobold Lair

Cassio, Ci, Dereth, Ember, and Zanna attempt to close the chapter on the Kobold Lair, and discover gem-encrusted, intelligent trolls as well as a baby wyrmling red dragon that was completely descaled and also had gems encrusted his limbs and body. The trolls were all in touch with a mysterious "Morty" who supposedly gave them intelligence, taught them Common, and was responsible for the gem encrusting. It is unclear what his connection to the overall Drow strategy is, or how he discovered the party but he left a note for the party indicating his disappointment with the party's actions and requests that The Eternal Order not kill any more unusually intelligent creatures.

For detailed notes from the game, see here: Game-Summaries:4/27 Recollections

346/3/13 Hunting down Hune, the sequel

Ci, Loco, Sakura, Sarya, and Tallulah chased down Hune after he escaped their last encounter. Though he avoided the ambush laid for him and nearly ended Ci's life, he was eventually vanquished in expolsive fashion.

For detailed notes from the game, see here: Game-Summaries:3/10 Recollections

346/3/1 Tracking Down Valas

Cassio, Ci, Ember, Jeroy, and Jorg track down Valas using the only hint they have - "Chaos," and find he has recruited the destitute to assist in harvesting rust monster saliva. The party ambushed Valas and his team during the harvesting, catching them off guard and killing everyone, save one captured prisoner, a drow named Elyn. Returning the prisoner to the Magistery, he was sequestered to the lightless, the lowest floor in the Magistery tower, deep underground and even under sea level, where absolutely zero light and sound can escape. In those cells, Elyn sang, but the party got lost in the Magistery depths for 10 days and only learned of the results of the interrogation afterward.

For detailed notes from the game, see here: Game-Summaries:2/16 Recollections

346/1/12 Training Dungeon Mishap

After hearing that the Training Dungeons were ruled unsafe and were closed, we decided to investigate the cause of the disturbance. With little more information than a likelihood of encountering a horde of grotesque beasts and led by our Fiery Paladin Cassio, we plunged headfirst into a strange and warped landscape. Immediately set upon by said beasts, we spent two nights in the strange dimension, one of them in chains, before fighting our way to center of the top of the keep. There we faced a being with tentacles where its face should be and a shocking strength of mind. Our skill and fortitude proved enough to defeat this creature, but only just. Again we were left with more questions than answers as the strange Training Dungeon faded from view and we were returned to the Magistery.

For detailed notes from this game, see Game-Summaries:1/12 Recollections

345/9/14 Investigating the Kobold Lair (Part 2)

We returned to a previously spied upon orc encampment. After I infiltrated the camp but then failed to lure the orcs out, we were forced to fight a brief but bloody engagement with the orcs. Once victorious, we discovered a rucksack of owlbear feathers, and a mysterious charcoal nest, likely destined for a ritual to hatch a dragon egg. Ultimately, we uncovered more questions than answers. What were the feathers and egg for? Why were the original entrances to the Kobold caves collapsed, and who collapsed them?

For detailed notes see Game-Summaries:8/26 Recollections

345/8/13 Training Dungeon

We entered a Training Dungeon under the direction of The Brown. Eyes were squashed, and a Spectator released and defeated. We traded bruises for wisdom and experience... a fair trade in my estimation.

For detailed notes see Game-Summaries:7/28 Recollections