The Blood of Oesha is a homebrew Dungeons and Dragons Fifth Edition Campaign. It is set in the fantasy world of Oesha, and based on the fictional series — Luthiel’s Song. Players and Game Masters need not have read Luthiel’s Song to take part in this FRPG. However, having read the series may allow opportunities for added depth, storytelling and character development.

The events of Blood of Oesha are not strictly Luthiel’s Song canon. They occur approximately 500 years prior to Luthiel’s birth and 500 years after Vlad Valkire’s death. That said, this game, as described in this blog, may include some hints and teasers related to the upcoming book — The Death of Winter. So gamers interested in the further events of the Luthiel’s Song series may receive a delightful hint of foreshadowing.

Other than described below, the Dungeons and Dragons rules set remains unaltered and the game can be played using the core materials for Fifth Edition. The Blood of Oesha homebrew game borrows a little from The Princes of The Apocalypse campaign and adventure sourcebook. So game masters may wish to have that setting available.

(Vyrl are one of the original races in The Blood of Oesha homebrew campaign. Image by Sandara Tang. Please help support her fantastic artwork.)

Ground Rules

As mentioned above, the core game rules are mostly unaltered. The exceptions are listed below. Readers will note that some of these rules (Shot Clock) fall under the typical definition of a House Rule. Other Game Masters may take or leave these rules as they see fit. The remaining rules are game balance and theme related (Grace and Defilement), so it is highly recommended that they remain.

Feats — The Blood of Oesha uses the optional feats rules provided in the Player’s Handbook with minor modifications. The first modification is that the Great Weapon Master feat is not allowed. The feat presents serious rules balance issues with regards to the Fighter class and its synergies with weapon style, multiple attacks, accuracy and magic items. It has thus been removed. The Sharpshooter feat has been modified such that optional attack penalty and damage bonus are reduced to -3 and +5 respectively. All other feats remain unaltered.

Point Buy — The game uses a modified version of the point buy system. 29 points are available for use. No single ability score can be set to higher than 16 prior to racial modifiers being added. This point buy system sets starting characters at a high capability with base attributes that are superior to their peers.

Grace and Defilement replaces Inspiration — Characters receive Grace points when role playing exceptionally well according to background traits, when acting in a heroic manner, when contributing to the story development, and when being exceptionally helpful to their peers. Grace points are removed for selfish, narcissistic, or base acts of evil and corruption. Negative Grace becomes a point of Defilement. A Game Master can use Defilement to impose Disadvantage on a single role. A Game Master can also use a high number of Defilement points to inflict a permanent alteration on a character. Use of certain items, including Ichor, generates Defilement. The particulars of these alterations described more in detail in the Defilement section to be further described in another post.

Movement still includes the shift action. As part of any move action a character or monster may shift 5 feet without provoking an attack of opportunity. This movement still provokes other special reactions as normal.

Shot Clock. Each character has approximately one minute to complete a turn in combat. If combat is running smoothly and swiftly, then the Shot Clock can be ignored. However, if a player spends excessive time quibbling, pouring over the rules, angling for advantage by arguing with the Game Master or otherwise dominating the time at table, then the Game Master will set a 60 second clock on the player’s turn. Failure to complete actions in that time will subsequently result in forfeiture of turns. Allowances will be made for new players who are honestly attempting to familiarize themselves with the rules.

Wyrd. In the World of Oesha, all magic comes from dreams. This concept does not mechanically impact the various classes. However, it does provide much more flexibility regarding color. Divine magic often comes from the dreams that result from a deep and abiding belief. Belief in and dreams of a god or an ideal grant magic, rather than the gods themselves. Though gods exist, they are simply ancient and powerful beings — some of whom are often uninterested in the worship they receive. Arcane magic comes either from the deep dreams of self or the world (sorcery), the Eversong (bard), or belief and dreams that ritual chanting and formula tap into magical forces (wizard). As a result of this distinction, the magic using classes have a bit more liberty in describing where their magic comes from and how they tapped into that power. For ultimately the source is the same — Wyrd which means the deep and powerful dreams.

Races

Allowed traditional races for The Blood of Oesha campaign setting include Humans (Romas), Ithildar (High Elves), Valemar (Wood Elves), Halflings (Humans born small but raised by human society), Dwarves (Hill Dwarves only which are enclaves of small humans) and Changelings (as Half Elves but with a dark twist) all with stats identical or nearly identical to the typical Dungeons and Dragons races. Racial color and backgrounds, when they depart from traditional Dungeons and Dragons, are described below.

In addition, the following new races are added — Gruagach, Sith, Half Troll, Werewolf, and Vyrl.

Humans — this industrious and versatile race hails from a lost continent that sank into the Middle Sea long ago. Romas is the last enclave of a race that once built a thousand empires. Humans, though fast breeding, ambitious, talented and clever have fallen prey to a series of calamities. Currently, their numbers continue to be thinned by the Sith who have effectively isolated Romas and its out lands while continuing to spirit away human children and turn them into Changelings. Of all races, Humans are most destructive to the natural environment. They are also the most likely to fall into corruption and become undead after natural death. In the past, humans left vast wastelands in their wake and often attracted the influence of the denizens of The Black Moon Gorothoth. It is this inherently destructive nature that has likely led to their decline as well as a proliferation of enemies. Ironically, individual humans can be counted among some of the greatest heroes in history. A paradoxical contradiction that may well be their saving grace. Despite their isolation and continued decline, humans are still one of the most numerous, adaptable and widely varied races of Oesha. Two subsets of humans include Halflings and Dwarves.

Halflings — Halflings are humans born small. At first, only a few Halflings could be found among humans. However, during recent years, and as stress on the human population increased, more and more Halflings cropped up. Halflings are short, about 3 feet tall. They are often witty — making surprisingly good leaders and entertainers. And they possess a measure of good fortune that their taller fellows seem to lack. Often underestimated, Halflings can find themselves living out the lives of unfavored sons and daughters only to come out ahead as a surprise underdog. They have an innate talent for thievery, which can get them into trouble, but a good number also find fame as silver tongued bards or sorcerers with a talent for crafting Wyrd.

Dwarves — The bearded people, like Halflings, were born from human couplings. However, Dwarves posess some markedly different traits. Unlike Halflings, they can no longer breed with Humans. Nor do they find them in the least bit attractive. Dwarves hear the call of earth and hills and mountains and so inevitably leave their human parents in search of their own kind who have taken to constructing hilltop citadels or carving miniature cities into the sides and hearts of mountains. They are both clever farmers and artisans. Their respect for the earth means they have very little harmful impact to the land around them and they often find friends among the elves. They are masters of cold forging and of crafting stone and jewelry without the use of heat. Having learned the Elfin runes, they have made a derivative magic that is based in the dreams of depths, of great natural caverns and of growing things. Dwarves and trolls are, strangely, compatible. The offspring of these couplings are the mighty Half Trolls.

Ithildar or High Elves are a tall and proud race. Golden haired and clear eyed these immortals possess a racial memory going back to the first days of Oesha. They are friends of the Arhda — the angelic spirits of Oesha — and many whom humans would call gods were companions to the eldest Ithildar of the first days. Ithildar stand 6 to nearly seven feet tall. They are thin, graceful, quick and intelligent. They do not suffer the effects of age or death by disease ( mechanical change — immune to aging and disease). Their meditations do, however, include rich and powerful dreams ( mechanical change — meditation provides no benefit and Ithildar must ‘sleep’ for 8 hours like humans). In the region of Romas where this campaign is set Ithildar are few in number. However a few captains sail their living vessels to trade with the humans there and to gather news. So a player wishing to run an Ithildar could be a member of a ship’s compliment or even a traveler drawn to Romas by one of its many mysteries.

Valemar (Vale Elves) or Wood Elves hail from the lands surrounding the Vale of Mists. They are quick, cunning and very perceptive. Of all elves they are, perhaps the most adept at living in the beat of nature. They craft homes from trees (like their Sith, Ithildar and, sometimes, Gruagach cousins) but they also know the language of plants, beasts and growing things (mechanical change — empathic bond with plants and animals). They do not speak to them, per sey, so much as sense what animals and plants are thinking and feeling. Shorter than their Ithildar cousins, Valemar stand between 5 and a half and six and a half feet tall. Their skin is fair, though not the blanche shades of the Ithildar and their hair ranges from golden to orange to green and occasionally blue. Of late, Valemar have come to live in the Shadow of the Vyrl of the Vale of Mists. Of all elves, Valemar have the most potent blood — which Vyrl find desirable.

Changelings use the same base stat block as Half Elves. However, that’s where any resemblance ends. Changeling were kidnapped by Sith as human children. In the depths of the Dark Forest, fertility magics, blood sacrifices, and rites of changing are used to transform these abductees into fey beings. Possessing fading human traits and ever more prominent Sith like traits, they are branded Changelings by humans who thereafter view them with fear and suspicion. The Sith, in their dark way, treasure Changelings, considering them children and heaping both wealth and attention upon them. Changeling children are often pre-selected by their Sith parents. They are watched and often receive ‘visitations’ by forest spirits until the day they come of age. At that point they are whisked away to the Dark Forest, perhaps never to see their human relatives again. Changeling tend to be deeply conflicted souls. On the one hand, they feel sadness for the humanity and family they have lost. But they have also had a glorious and primal spirit awakened within them. They have been granted gifts of Wyrd and immortality and they have stood in awe of the mighty Gods — Elwin and Chromnos who rule over the great Dark Forest. Changeling posses powerful personalities and are among the most versatile of all races. Their human past allows them to relate to that unnatural race while at the same time living in the heartbeat of the primal wood. Upon reaching their one hundred and first birthday, Changeling complete their transformation and become full Sith.

*   *   *   *   *

Gruagach — Flesh of wood and blood of sap, the Gruagach are a family of fey directly bound to the land. Hailing chiefly from the woodland realm of Ashiroth, they have, increasingly, fallen under the sway of Zalos. Ironically, Zalos has aided in the breaking of the Gruagach’s traditional bonds with the land — teaching these elves the more human-like living methods of cutting down trees, mining ores from the earth and burning every variety of fuel for heat, energy and light. Ashiroth is not, as yet, entirely ruined by Zalos’s influence. And there are many Gruagach who cling to the old ways. Tribes of these voluntary exiles have crossed the Drakken Spur Mountains to inhabit some of the wilder lands not under the influence of Romas or the The Dark Forest. Gruagach are wolf-riders and are thus tightly bonded to the branch of intelligent dire wolves known as Urkharim.

Ability Score Increase Your Constitution increases by 2 and your strength increases by 1.

Age Gruagach, unlike Ithildar, are not immortal. They do, however, live an exceedingly long span of years. Most Gruagach age only slowly, wrinkling like great and ancient trees. Most live about 800 years. But it is not unheard of for the most land-connected Gruagach to live to 1,500.

Alignment Gruagach are both tribal and loyal, tending toward Lawful and Neutral alignments.

Size Gruagach are stocky. They tend to stand between 5 and one half and six feet in height but often support strongly muscled frames.

Speed Gruagach are not as swift footed as their Valemar cousins. Often relying on their Lupine friends for added speed. Base land movement speed of 30 feet.

Flesh of Wood Unarmored Gruagach are still tough to hit, having a base armor class of 12 rather than 10. This base armor class does not stack with any armor worn, though it does stack with a shield.

Blood of Sap Gruagach are resilient to bleeding and harm. Gruagach are immune to ongoing damage from non elemental wounds. If reduced to below zero hit points they use their proficiency bonus on any death or excessive damage saves. When resting, Gruagach gain one extra hit dice to use for recovery.

Darkvision Gruagach possess Darkvision out to 60 feet.

Dire Wolf Companion A Gruagach may start play with an Urkharim Dire Wolf animal companion.

Fire Vulnerability Gruagach flesh burns like wood. They are vulnerable to fire.

Languages Gruagach speak Common, Elfin, and Urkharim.

*    *    *    *    *

Sith are the fey who inhabit the Dark Forest. They are lithe and quick possessing green skin, yellow eyes and hair that ranges from black to midnight blue. Among all Fey, they, perhaps possess the strongest personalities. Elder Sith are fearsome forces of nature not to be trifled with and even the younger breatheren — the recently changed — possess Wyrd lore well outside the kin of mortals. Like Ithildar, Sith are true immortals — suffering none of the ill effects of age or disease. They vary wildly in height ranging from 4 and a half feet to as tall as seven feet. Sith are among the most innately magical of the Fey. The power of dreams comes easily to them, even if these dreams are often dark and wild. It is also the Sith’s sacred trust to continue to expand the borders of the Dark Forest. They worship the great world tree Anaturnar and demand that any passing the boundaries of the Dark Forest offer up a sacrifice of blood and silver. The Sith then use this sacrifice to water Anaturnar’s roots from which all trees of the Dark Forest spring.

Ability Score Increase Your Dexterity increases by 2 and your Charisma increases by 1.

Age Sith are immortal suffering none of the ill effects of age. Elder Sith grow into primal spirits with a kinship to the vital elements of Oesha, with the life blood flowing through the world, or with the Wyrd itself. These volcanic spirits often serve or work among the Arhda of the world.

Alignment Sith tend toward Chaotic in alignment. However, they willingly serve Elwin, Chromnos, and the great world tree itself, setting aside their quixotic nature to aid these powers.

Size Sith’s size varies wildly from 4 and one half to seven feet tall. They are lithe, rangy, and light-boned.

Speed Sith move at 30 feet but are not inhibited by natural growth nor do they take a penalty to speed due to jumping and climbing.

Innate Magic At first level Sith can cast light, dancing lights, blade ward and minor illusion. At third level, they gain the ability to cast faerie fire once per long rest. At fifth level they can choose one of the following — cure wounds, speak with animals, or misty step — to cast once per long rest. If a Sith does not gain levels in a caster class, she is considered to be a level 1 caster.

Darkvision Sith can see out to 60 feet in pure darkness.

Sith Weapon  Proficiency All Sith gain weapon proficiency in Longsword, Longbow, Shortbow, and Scimitar.

Immune to Disease Sith do not suffer the ill effects of magical or non-magical contagions.

Bound by Word A Sith that states he or she will do something cannot go back on his or her word. A Sith who willingly attempts to break his or her word is subject to the effects of a geas until he or she completes the promised task.

Unnable to naturally reproduce A long time ago, Sith fell under a curse which rendered them unable to reproduce. They have since been stealing human children and subjecting them to the Changling creation ritual. All young Sith are now Changelings. Some Sith feel this child-theft is amoral. They are embarrassed at being forced to abduct the children of others to perpetuate their race and have foresworn the practice. These Foresworn quest for a means to break the curse under which all Sith have fallen.

Languages Sith speak Common and Elfin.

*   *   *    *    *

Half-Troll are a result of the unions of dwarves and trolls. Of trolls, most have fallen under the curse of the Black Moon, Gorothoth. These must return behind the warding stones during times of daylight or be turned to stone themselves. However, a small group of trolls broke free from the Black Moon’s yoke and returned to their happy lives among the rocks, rivers and trees — far away from any of the powers. These Unbound sought their own way in the world and were, mostly, gentle giants — unless stoked to rage by abuse, enslavement or other ill treatment. When humans settled in Romas and their Dwarven off-spring took to the hills, the trolls approached them with gifts of water, wind, and the songs of the rocks themselves. The Dwarves saw them as kindred spirits and some fell in love with these gentle giants, forming families all their own. Half-Trolls are tall with gravelly skin, a stoic disposition and possess great physical strength and endurance. They have both the clever hands of their dwarven parents and the deep, abiding connection with earth and stone of their troll parents. Half Trolls can make mighty warriors but they also often find themselves dreaming the dreams of the world — feeling a deep connection to the frailest of things such as flower petals, dew drops, and butterflies.

Ability Score Increase Your Strength increases by 2 and your Constitution increases by 1.

Age Half Trolls live to be about 300 — after which point they go to rest in the hills, their bodies falling to stone with crystalline hearts.

Size Half Trolls are the largest of the humanoid races — usually towering 7 to 7 and one half feet in height.

Speed Half Trolls are able to lumber along at 30 feet.

Flesh of Stone Half Trolls add 1 to their armor class regardless of the variety of armor they use.

Living Earth Half Trolls gain one additional hit point per hit die.

Song of Stone A Half Troll can sing with a voice of the earth itself. This song has the effect of a calm emotions spell on friends, allies, and animals. A Half Troll singing in this way to a wild animal or hostile beast gains advantage on Persuasion and Handle Animal checks related to the creature. Song of Song can also be used to heal rifts in rock objects, acting as a mending spell. A Half Troll may use Song of Stone once per short rest. The effect has a duration of Concentration.

Vitality of Earth Half Trolls brought below zero hit points for the first time per short rest are instead reduced to 1 hit point.

Tool Proficiency Half Trolls are all proficient and wood carving and stone working tools. They know the Dwarven runes and the most skilled among them are adept at scribing these Wyrd signs into both weapons and tools.

Trusting Half Trolls have disadvantage on insight checks to tell if someone is lying to them.

Rage at Betrayal Any Half Troll finding out they are betrayed or lied to by another gains the benefit of expertise when using Athletics to pursue to grapple or to break objects and gains one extra weapon damage dice on each physical attack against the betrayer.

*   *   *   *   *

Werewolf are typical humans transformed by Wyrd into great lupine beasts. These magical creatures are large and bestial. As they maintain their lupine form, their memory of being human slowly fades. Few know exactly how or why humans are transformed into wolves. Some believe that it is the very spirit of Oesha herself trying to reclaim her wayward children. Others blame the affliction on wolf-bites, but this is mostly known to be superstition. Still others believe that the great powers of the world have chosen humans who are fated to live out their lives as wolves. Sometimes, a werewolf will undergo a reverse transformation, to become human again. They do not age while in bestial form and so, can tend to become legends in their own right. Often forests and places that werewolves haunt bear the name of the creature. For example, Othalas of the Vale of Mists. Werewolves are solitary and will not suffer another of its kind in its territory. They are often protective of the wilderness lands they call home. And due to the fact that they are terrible predators all but the most fierce creatures give werewolf lands wide berth. A creature gifted with Wyrd and Wyrd lore may sense the vague form of a human nestled within the body of the werewolf. But to all others the werewolf is a giant magical beast. A terror to behold.

(The Werewolf Othalas. Artwork by Sandara Tang.)

Ability Score Increase Your Strength increases by 2, your Constitution increases by 2, and your Dexterity increases by 1.

Age Werewolves do not age while in their bestial form.

Size Werewolves are large creatures. They have a reach of 2 and a space of 10.

Speed Werewolves move at a rate of 50 feet.

Darkvision Werewolves have darkvision out to 90 feet.

Bestial Form Werewolves take the form of giant wolves. In this form they gain the bite natural weapon attack with a base damage of 1d10 + strength or dexterity modifier (whichever is higher). Werewolves cannot wear normal humanoid armor or manipulate weapons or tools. Werewolves are unable to change form and are locked in giant beast form unless powerful magic transforms them back to human shape.

Keen Senses Werewolves are proficient in the Perception Skill and are considered to have expertise in that skill. The range of werewolf hearing is triple that of a typical human, sight is double that of a human, and sense of smell grants it both a tracking sense and the ability to target nearby invisible creatures (blindsight 20).

Devour Magical Items Werewolves can devour magical items to apply their properties as if they were worn or held. For example, a werewolf may devour a +1 dagger and apply the enchantment to their bite attack or a werewolf may devour a magical suit of +1 armor to apply the enchantment to their armor class. Only non-artifact items may be devoured in this way. Only up to five items may be devoured in total. The items are not considered destroyed and if the werewolf wishes to trade enchantments, they may vomit up an item to exchange.

Natural Armor Werewolves have an innate armor class of 13 + their dexterity modifier. They may wear barding but most are loath to — feeling that it confines them.

Toughness Werewolves start play with the toughness feat.

Regeneration Werewolves regenerate hit points at the rate of 1 per minute.

Silver Vulnerability Werewolves are vulnerable to silvered weapons. Hits by silvered weapons prevent regeneration until after the next short or long rest.

Class Limitations Werewolves are only able to advance in the Fighter (Champion, Battlemaster), Ranger, Barbarian, Rogue, and Monk classes. Werewolves of the Ranger class consider their eyes a magical focus and have no need of gestures or spell components instead howling in order to summon the Wyrd to their aid.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Vyrl are ancient spirits of life who once fed on the dreams and nightmares of living creatures. They were cursed long ago by Gorthar Lord of Death and have, ever-after, been forced to feed on blood instead. This form of nourishment is not ideal to them. So simply feeding on the blood of animals will result in an eventual fall into madness. The blood of sentient creatures with a deep connection to the World of Dreams is most desirable and the mere presence of a creature powerful in dreams and Wyrd can be a heady intoxicant to Vyrl. Over time, the potency of their blood requirement has grown. During the period of this campaign, feeding on the blood of one humanoid creature equal to half its hit points is enough to keep a Vyrl from falling into a maddening hunger for one week. Half this amount from any fey creature or sorcerer, cleric, druid, bard, or wizard will do. Valemar elves’ blood potency is enough to support a Vyrl for four times the usual period. And the blood of one just come of age (15) is doubly potent again. Vyrl often seek to bond (see below) with a creature of potent blood. Such a bond results in obligations both on the part of the Vyrl and the blood bond. Being bonded to and fed on by a Vyrl can be a dangerous situation as the Vyrl sometimes lose control and seek to completely drain a creature of all its blood. However, as Vyrl often wield great influence and possess hoards of wealth, a bonded individual may see this as a risk worth taking. On very rare occasions one of potent blood may bond to multiple Vyrl. Such was the case with Vlad Valkire before his own father slew him. Vyrl are almost always lords of remote lands, vales, secluded forests. hillocks, seaside grottos, or mountain peaks. They possess an ability to compel the actions of others far outside that of any other race. Vyrl are also physically powerful, making mighty warriors and Paladins. Vyrl are very rare with any major settlement now only including a handful of often secreted individuals.

Ability Score Increase Your Strength increases by +2 and your Charisma increases by +2.

Age Vyrl are fallen Arhda and, as such, do not age or suffer the ill effects normal diseases. Vyrl, unlike Ithildar and Sith in their fallen state are vulnerable to magical diseases.

Size Vyrl are medium size ranging from 5 and one half to seven feet tall.

Speed Vyrl move at a rate of 30 feet.

Darkvision Vyrl see 60 feet in darkness.

Blood Drain A Vyrl gains a bite attack based on either its Strength or Dexterity. The attack does 1d4 damage and drains one point of Constitution from the target. The Vyrl regains hit points equal to the amount drained plus 5 for each point of Constitution devoured. If the Vyrl is at full hit points, the Vyrl gains half as many temporary hit points. Unlike usual temporary hit points, these hit points stack with other hit points gained by blood drain. The temporary hit points last until the next short rest. If these hit points are drained from a child (age 15 or under), a Valemar Elf, a sorcerer, a wizard, a cleric, a druid or a paladin the Vyrl adds two additional healing points or one additional temporary hit point. To initiate a blood drain attack, a Vyrl must lower his guard. Such attacks provoke an attack of opportunity from an unwilling target. If using blood drain to prevent madness, keep a tally of hit points to determine if the total is sufficient. A Vyrl may forgo Constitution drain from a willing opponent but must succeed in a Wisdom save (DC 10 for humans, DC 13 for Fey, DC 15 for Valemar and spellcasters, Spellcasters and Valemar above level 10 are DC 19). Lost Constitution points return at the rate of 1 per short rest and 2 per long rest.

Compulsion Vyrl are adept at commanding others. When using the Persuasion skill, a Vyrl may declare to compel. When doing so, he or she gains advantage on the roll. Alternatively, a Vyrl may impose disadvantage on one creature’s saving throw to resist a command, geas, charm or other compulsion related spell. Focusing its will on other creatures is taxing. A Vyrl may use this ability once every short or long rest.

Blood Bond Vyrl may form a bond with one creature who agrees to be its source of sustenance. Bonded creatures share the Vyrl’s thought’s and senses. They can communicate telepathically over the distance of many miles. And, by concentrating, they can see through one another’s eyes. In extreme situations a Vyrl may share hit points with a blood bonded creature by allowing it to drink the Vyrl’s blood. This requires a self inflicted wound equal to the hit points healed.

Madness Vyrl who do not receive the blood of a sentient creature once a week equal to the allotment above fall into madness. A Vyrl in this state becomes hyper-active but loses mental acuity. Vyrl gain a +2 bonus to Strength but suffer a -2 penalty to Intelligence and Wisdom. Vyrl in this state must make a saving throw equal to DC 10 +1 for each hour under the influence of madness. A failure means the Vyrl begins a blood hunt, seeking out the nearest sentient, dreaming creature to feed from. This saving throw occurs once every hour while under madness. When feeding on a sentient creature while under madness, a Vyrl suffers a -2 penalty to resist draining Constitution. During madness, a Vyrl’s senses are heightened and it is able to detect sentient creatures within a 100′ radius simply by closing its eyes and concentrating.

(Further Edits Pending)