Drat, I had though that was a good one.
Death?
As I speak it aloud, the candles gutter and the inscription changes!
A Favor asked, a favor earned
You solved my task, taken my sojourn,
You come at last, to your true home,
The truest walls ever known.
Welcome Home, Necromancer. A wall has opened behind the throne to reveal a stairwell. Entranced, I pluck a torch from the wall and lead the way in. Musty cobwebs brush aside, and molded stone gives way to solid obsidian, interlaced with mudstone sigils shaped like skulls. The staircase runs deep, into the depths of the earth, but instead of feeling haunted, as it should, it was safe. I felt the stone above me, but it was like the embrace of a mother.
The staircase opened up into a great hall. A small dish was set aside with oil, and as I held my torch to it the flame raced down the sides of the hall, revealing a grand chamber, flying arches and engraved motifs adorning the ceiling. The hall itself was wide enough to draw five carts through, side by side, and long enough that the sound of my echo was delayed a full second. The walls were painted with brown skulls, with black banners fluttering nearby. There were paintings along the wall, including some I'm sure were lost. And inbetween lay perfectly preserved mummies.
As I watched, one of the mummies shuddered and began to stand. It shook off the bugs that had nested upon it and opened its mouth.
"Good day, sir. I see you have uncovered the riddle of Fate. My name is Gane, previously of Clan Tannith. If my sense of time is right, which it should be, the clan Tannith died with me, quite a few centuries ago. That matters little now, as I, your humble servant, greet you as my new master. What is your name, if I may sir?" The thing said in a cultured accent, standing perfectly straight and stock still. It held a hand up to its chest regally, as if posing for a picture, but bowed low as it asked me my name.
"Lenen..."
"Very good Sir Lenen. If you wish, I can answer any questions you may have, as I am a THANE. Shall I assume you know of the term?" I shook my head, so the Thane described himself. "The method of my creation was lost soon after I died. However, as a Thane I have photographic memory, impeccable eyesight, Immortality, skill in assassination, some minor skill in interior decoration, woodshop and culinary arts, though I suspect I shall have to procure fresh food. I also can ressurect my allies as you open the rooms with the resources you can collect from the cities you convince to join you. I am head of staff for this castle, and as such any order can be relayed through me with reasonable delay. If you have any more questions, Sir, I would be happy to help, but if you wish I can Awaken the Groundskeeper immediately as well as cook food for you and your guest."
I could already feel the spiders on me. "Awaken the Groundskeeper please, Gane, thank you. When you're done, meet me by the throne, I may want a tour."
"Very good sir." And with that, he vanished around a corner. I checked, but I didn't see him anywhere.
Wait what guest.
Author
Topic: The Necromancer: Prologue (Read 28722 times)