Okay, seems like hobnobbing Celestial Ministers and pummeling ex-gods is good for something after all... :-)
Advancing to the 18th level of personal development, several individuals, some expected, some surprises:
the most Imperial Oracle and Eldritch Knight: Miya Hatori
the Nezumi Temple Champion and slayer of evil magicians: Til'k'chek
the noble Ranger and archer extraordinaire: Hiruma Mulan
the Korobokuru Foe of evil Giants and Protector of his people wherever they may live: Gorvak
and...
by only a few hundred points...
the recently pardoned...
and sort of ascended..
one and only...
Lord of Flame...
Doji Arianoku!
Also advancing, to 16th level, also by only a few hundred points, the ferocious master of the tulwar: Birkat!
As for the remaining four members of the valiant band of misifts -- I mean heroes:
Tsuruchi Zenako, continuing to lead from the front, needs <2k to get to 19th
Soshi Ashiko, with parts of her spirit enshrined (or entombed) in the items aiding her many minions -- I mean friends and allies -- needs <4k to get to 18th
Isaku, student of Ki in mind, body and spirit, needs <9k to get to 18th
and
Abu, Vanara Mystic visiting for an unknown period of time from his tribal home in the southern jungles, needs <5k to reach 16th.
And so the gods watch ever more carefully as the greatest (if perhaps strangest) band of adventurers in modern Drakaran history approach epic capabilities, as they dare to involve themselves in things the gods themselves are Banned from interfering with!
Yes, some characters did just advance two sessions in a row...went over the previous total needed by a decent amount and then scraped by this time. Good thing I do the calculations before looking at the results or I might have held Noku and Birkat back a grade -- I mean a session. :-)
See everyone Sunday afternoon, whenever y'all show up...
-- Ernie III