Raise ThreadAlright, I think I'm past the initial "8 hour marathons" stage of my relapse. I make no promises, though- if the Dungeon Master bug gets fixed you could lose me for another week.
I'm going to guess that he is trapped under a large, heavy object by the name of writer's block.
While being pummeled from both sides by Apathy and Obligation.
Well, less that and more
this.
I am completely, 100% opposed to waiting. For one thing, Omo has made it clear that HE, at least, won't. And frankly, he is far more valuable to us than anyone or anything else here.
Our mother has made it clear she can try to identify this thing for us - ask her if she can do it discretely so the guy doesn't jack up the price, maybe? Anyways, it sounds like if she finds that it IS valuable, she might be willing to help us purchase it.
but prior to doing so we should be prepared for the scenario in which our mother determines that we are a necromancer. Say, by determining that the item is necromantic, and that only a necromancer could detect it without the use of specialised magic.
Shouldn't be an issue, we only stated it wasn't dwarven so not an artifact just that we liked it because it was pretty (and shiny). Unless it's an ugly piece of jewelry in reality and we only find it shiny because of the necromancer vibe I don't see how we can be at risk.
You waken the next morning, fresh and ready for the new day. After your habitual ablutions, you once again join your Mother in the kitchen for an early meal.
Hey, Mom. I've been thinking, and I'd like to take you up on that offer to test the merchant's medallion.Alright- if you'd like to go now, we could do it before I go to work for the day.Actually, I was hoping we could be discreet about it, just in case it is an Artifact. Maybe we could wait until tonight, so we can check it out when I deliver the potion?If it truly is an Artifact, I expect the Council will outbid you for it- an item of such power could prove invaluable if it comes to open war.Really? Are they all that powerful?They can be- many provide only modest benefit, or perform a function that isn't terribly useful, but some few have truly legendary power. If it is an Artifact, it will take much additional testing to determine the nature and extent of its abilities.Huh. Well, if you want to go now, let's go.After tidying up, you escort your mother back across the bridge to the Caravan Fair. Though still rather chilly and dark, it isn't raining at the moment. You enter Luki Revereorder's tent- once again, the early hour means that the tent is empty save for the merchant himself.
Hello, Nym! Finished with that potion already? And who is this pretty girl with you?Good morning, master Revereorder. You said you were taking that medallion to the coast to be appraised, right? Well, this is my mother, and I think she can provide a fair estimation of its worth.Oh? Is she a historian?Greetings, master Revereorder- I am a Mage of Yicelafo. I can't tell you its value as a historical item, but I can eliminate the possibility of it being an artifact for you. Now, where is this medallion?Luki blinks, then hesitantly takes the medallion off the peg and holds it up for your mother's inspection. She matter-of-factly reaches out and snatches the item, ignoring Luki's slight wince. You are as attracted as ever to its beckoning necromantic energy, and watch with keen interest as your mother inspects the fine etching of the ravens.
She holds the medallion in the palm of her left hand, and her right hand begins to trace a circle above it. Luki gasps as a faint green light seems to settle down from your mother's hand, floating above the medallion. As her hand moves, the light ripples with it, much like a hand will ripple a bucket of water. She hums softly to herself as she works her magic, concentrating intently.
Suddenly, you notice the purple glow of the medallion... shift. At first you think your eyes tricked you, but soon it happens again, then again- the glow seems to pulse now, in time with the green light. With each pulse, you see the purple glow reach a little higher, and the green light sink lower. Finally, the energies meet, and your mother dismisses the spell with a surprised look on her face.
Well! It seems you were right, master Revereorder- this is indeed an artifact.Really?!? You're sure? What does it do?I cannot say without extensive testing. You were asking for 100 gold for this item?I- yes, but that was before I knew for sure it was an artifact.Fear not, Yicelafo will not cheat you of your merchandise. I'll send somebody back here with the power to make you an offer I'm sure you will find quite generous.Well, I suppose I can consider such an offer, can't I? Thank you very much for this service, milady!Good day, master Revereorder.Meanwhile, meet with Omo. Tell him of what we've learned - and of what we've accomplished. While we didn't get permission to leave, we did some good and stopped them from clamping down tight on the border. Reaffirm that we have every intent of leaving with him before the fair ends, and ask him if he knows where we can find Elana - and if she might have any knowledge on how to communicate effectively over a distance. We're going to take a risk here, of course - if it falls through, we won't mention Omo. He should be able to get out without us if he still wants to leave. But if it works, we'll have an ally on the inside.
You leave with your mother, somewhat dejected. If the Mages throw piles of gold at Luki to obtain the medallion, there is no way you'll get your hands on it short of theft, and that theft would be difficult if they are actively studying it. You say your goodbyes as she heads off to the Temple, and you head off after Omo.
You find him sitting with a festive group of Elves enjoying the break in the weather. When Omo sees you, he rises and comes away from the group to speak to you.
So? What's the good word?Well, asking the Elders went about as you predicted. Nowhere fast.Bloody hell. Well, it was worth a shot. You're still game to leave anyway?Of course! And it wasn't all bad- it sounds like they won't be shutting down the border until after the Fair, and I think I may have tipped the balance toward reaching out to the Humans instead of just sealing ourselves off from the conflict.Oh, you did all that but you couldn't get permission to leave? A strange world you live in.Shut up! We should be good to go before the end of the Fair, I'm just going to wrap up some loose ends. Speaking of, have you seen Elana?Some loose ends! As a matter of fact, I did see her the other day- she's staying with a friend in the city. Are you two... cool now?Well, we were never precisely not cool, and I would like to say goodbye before we leave. We may not meet again for years.True enough, I suppose. We all have people and things important to us.Then find Elana - I've got a plan. Ask her if she knows any way to send messages over a distance with magic. Let her know we WILL be leaving the veil one way or another, even if it kills us, but we'd like to do what good we can for the elves in the meanwhile, and communication will be valuable to that end.
Yes, getting the amulet confiscated would be better than nothing - in my mind, the most important thing we can do with it is keeping it from reaching the jeweled coast and getting snatched up by the guy there.
We should phrase this similar to our arguments with the council and how they are making a mistake with the token diplomat approach. That way even if she does end up telling anyone our stories are consistent and our reason for leaving believable.
I think we should tell the truth - tell her that our reason for going has always been a desire to study our ancient homeland and do what we can to help the people, and it is clear that that will not happen unless we make it. And we believe the things we can learn are more valuable now than ever they could be before - if necromancers threaten our home once more, learning how they did what they did, and how to prevent it from happening to our home yet again, is paramount - finding a way to reverse it would be nothing short of amazing.
Ask her if she knows anyone, skilled and willing to leave, that may wish to accompany us, but make it clear that we WILL be doing it. Do not sound brash and inconsiderate - simply dedicated, and focused on the mission at hand.
You don't need much in the way of directions from Omo- once you catch the name of Elana's friend, you know where to go. Your path takes you deeper into Yicelafo, past the Great Temple and Shrine into the heart of the residential district. The treehouses are stacked thickly here, to the point that they touch the ground, making the tree appear to be a single large apartment with a living canopy for a roof. It is in one of these residential blocks that you find the right home, tucked on ground level astride a massive root.
Elana herself answers the door, and for a moment it's like you are seeing her again for the first time. Her carefully braided hair is strawberry-blonde, a rarity among the elves. Almond eyes in a fair face regard you with surprise. Simple, warm clothing adds little breadth to her slight frame- she almost seems to be an adult in a child's body, and though you are no giant you stand nearly a full head taller.
Elana seems to hesitate a moment before inviting you in. You greet her friend, an older woman you know only through your association with Elana. After exchanging pleasantries and being a generally good hostess, she seems to catch the mood in the air and decides this would be an opportune time to go grocery shopping. The room is silent for a long moment after the door closes behind her.
...well- I didn't expect to see you here, after your last letter, Nym.Yeah, well... you heard about the Necromancers, I trust.I did. I'm sorry your trip was canceled, but really, it's probably for the best.About that- I plan on leaving anyway.What! What could possibly be possessing you to hare off into a warzone!?!Well, it seems to me that I can do more good learning more about our ancestral homeland and how it was destroyed than cooped up here at home. Maybe there's a clue that can keep it from happening again.That's crazy! You'd have to be a Mage to find out anything, and that's if there was anything more to find out! The Sacred Grove is a waste, and you're wasting your time if you go out there!Oh come on, to hear you talk taking one step outside of Yicelafo is a death sentence. Weren't you always trying to get me to do something with my life?I meant use your life to get a good job, help out society, not throw it away because you've got itchy feet!I am going to help out society, better than I could if I were just going to hold a spear the day the Necromancer's armies come knocking at the door!You are both quiet for a moment.
...oh, be careful, you stubborn fool. Just be careful.Aren't I always? Besides, it can't be as bad as all that out there. Heck, the last place the Necromancer is likely to be is in the middle of an uninhabited wasteland! There aren't even any bodies there for him to... utilize.I'd have said desecrate, but I take your meaning.Do you know anybody else who wanted to leave the Vale? Maybe somebody who would be willing to help me?Ha! You're the only one I know foolish enough to leave the Vale in the middle of a war.Hey, technically, we aren't at war yet.Yeah, now tell me another.Alright, how about this- do you know of any way to magically communicate across distances?Myself? No, but I know it is possible. I know I've seen the Life Mages use animal messengers, but I'm pretty sure there's a general magic spell that lets you send messages across distances.Do you know anyone who could teach me? It'd be terribly helpful.I imagine one of the Life Mages could teach you, but from what I gather it is somewhat difficult and involved- that's why they normally just send animal messengers.How does that work, anyway? Can they control the animals?No, but it isn't that hard to communicate with them using Life magic, after a fashion, and animals are pretty easy to bribe. Ha, not the most reliable though- one time, a Mage sent a sparrow with a message to summon me for a lesson, but I never got it. He found the bird holed up in his nest with his lady love- apparently some more immediate concerns came up en route.Ha! That's rich. Well, I won't take up any more of your time- take care of yourself, if I don't see you again before I leave.You stand to make your goodbyes, and impulsively give Elana a big bear hug. She stiffens in surprise for a moment before hugging you back fiercely. After a long moment, you separate, and exit the apartment.
That said, ask Pevo more about necromancy, now that we have two known necromancers active. Why are necromancers always considered automatically evil? Do you think there's a chance of have been people with potential for necromantic magic that lived their wholes lives without actually discovering it? Is there a commonly accepted reason for why there haven't been more than one necromancer active at the same time? Pass this as you planning to be a sage. In fact, actually try to become a sage. Focus on necromancy so much because after all, you want to know more about the enemy that is plaguing this land. You are not a powerful mage. You are not a strong warrior. But you can collaborate by knowing about them and advising how to proceed. After Pevo, start hitting the books, ask access to all libraries you canm search for any ruins in elven lands that might contain a hint, etc. If you are discreet enough try to search the libraries and such with necro vision, specially if they are very old and lacking a index system.
Going off of what Felius said about becoming a sage, while I don't think it will work out to well I do think that we should try learning as much as we can about the basic properties of magic, just purely the theory not practice for right now if we're going to stay for training then we can learn the practice of it. Also if we stay we can also learn some more general magic spells that might help us out later and help us understand the basics of necromancy if all magic contain some of the same basic rules. If we are still staying then lets find ourselves a place for experiments again, if not then ignore the majority of this.
Since it's on your way back anyway, you decide to drop in on the Great Temple and pay Pevo a visit. You find him in his quarters, apparently reading a book.
Nym! Good to see you.Hello Pevo- do you have a moment to answer a couple random questions?Certainly, though I doubt they are anything but random.Heh- true enough. Well, considering the sudden surplus of Necromancers, I thought it'd pay to know a bit more about them. Has there ever been more than one active at a time before now?No, there has not, not since the Golgothan War. The Golgothans were wiped out in the aftermath of that war, and for a time it was thought that the threat of Necromancy was done forever. However, much like how Life Mages will sometimes arise among the humans, sometimes Necromancers arise among them as well. It is not often the spark breeds true, but every century or two another Necromancer arises to wreak havoc on the world.Why is that? Why do they always try to conquer the world, I mean?Who knows? Some say Necromancy is inherently evil, but I don't think so. The Golgothans got along more or less peacefully with the other races before Balkoth came to power, from what I can glean of our remaining texts and what I found during my sabbatical in Thrimesdur. Some think that it is just because humans are easily corruptible, and Necromancy offers a unique, direct sort of power nobody else can control or understand. Some blame the meddling of gods or other forces. No Necromancer has ever consented to an interview, so we can't know for sureCould it be that some Necromancers never managed to control their powers, or even manifest them without guidance?It could be, and in fact is rather likely. Of the Elves we teach here in Yicelafo, many would not have utilized their power without outside guidance to start them on the path. That is one reason we test so thoroughly- if we didn't, we'd have far fewer Mages. It is a comparatively small percentage of magic-users who manifest their abilities unconsciously, without any outside interference.I see. Is that true for general magic users as well?No, not at all. General magic is a much more deliberate, controlled usage of Mana than the others- that's why the other Magical Faiths can achieve such greater feats. Anyone with a Mana pool can learn to use general magic spells, but nobody will just start spontaneously casting them.I'm not sure I quite understand the distinction.Think of it like this; the Magical Faiths are like the different ways animals can move through the woods. Wolves can run on all fours faster than we can, and birds can fly over obstacles, and fish can swim places we cannot. They are all different from one another, and none of them are really conscious decisions to be different, but they are all more effective than just trying to walk through the underbrush....I think I've got it, though it still isn't quite clear.Well, it isn't a perfect metaphor- maybe a Mage could explain it better.So is there any special reason there's never been more than one Necromancer at a time?No, no special reason. It is just staggeringly unlikely. The fact we have 2 at once is likely just statistics catching up with us, to our misfortune. It'd take more than that for me to suspect something more, the way some folks have been whispering.Whispering?You know, the usual nonsense. "The End is Nigh, Darkness will cover the land, evil gods will awaken, fire and brimstone." All poppycock- we face a challenge unlike any since the Golgothan War, yes, but no need to go dragging in prophecies and ancient evils over it. We are quite capable of having a statistical improbability without anyone else having a hand in it.Yes... of course. Well, I think that satisfies my curiosity for now. Thank you for your time, Pevo Zephyrtempest.Any time, Nym, any time.You leave the Great Temple and head back home as the afternoon grows late. You make another potion for Luki with the daylight you have left, resolving to deliver it the following morning. You ponder your circumstances after your evening meal- the medallion seems to be beyond your reach for now, and you've gathered quite a bit of information. Is there anything holding you in Yicelafo now, or are you ready to depart?
Vitality- 10/10
Mana- 0/12
XP- 19/20
Inventory- Belt Pouch (
38.7 Silver Pieces),
Elven Traveler Garb,
Elven Cloak, Belt Knife, Leather Backpack (Bedroll, Flint&Steel,
Weak Mana Potion, Scroll Case(4 blank Parchment,
Charcoal),
Trail Rations Fishing Equipment,
Spare Traveling Clothes x2, Mana Potion for Luki)
Abilities-
Sense Necromancy(Passive)Skills-
Competent FisherStatus- Fine
Ten days since Manifestation
General
Detect Magic- 1 MP - detects spells and magical items near you
Calm Animal- 1 MP - causes wild animals to become peaceful
Sense Vitality- 1 MP - you can detect the Vitality of living things, with a bit of effort
Brew Mana Potion- A Mana Potion takes twice the potions potency in Mana cost, and requires 1/2 hour per point in brewing time
Necromancy
Raise Zombie- ? MP - You can take the formerly living body and turn it into a zombie, but you lack understanding or even much knowledge of the particulars. It seems the mana cost is related to the overall quality of the corpse, and maybe the size?
Command Undead- 2 MP - You can merge your awareness with an undead creature, gauging its general condition and issuing explicit orders it will obey to the best of its ability. You can also give orders that will persist beyond the end of the spell.
Steal Vitality- 3 MP - Range: Line of Effect. You can suck the Vitality out of living things. This spell removes up to 6 Vitality from the target and gives 1/3 of it to you.
Animate Object- 4 MP - You can force Vitality into inanimate objects, things that were never alive to begin with. It seems to be more complicated than Zombification though- your Rock doesn't do anything, which is hardly useful. You'll need to experiment with this more.
Alter Golem- 2 MP- You can make basic alterations to an existing construct or animated object.
Vitality- 13/13
Mana- 3/3
XP- 20/30
Inventory-
Elven Tunic,
Elven Cloak, Belt Knife, 50' Rope, Hatchet,
Camping Supplies,
Masterwork Elven StaffAbilities-
Track,
SurvivalistSkills-
Novice Observer,
Competent Ambusher,
Competent Staff User,
Poor LiarStatus- Fidgety
Your Parents- Your mother is a prominent Mage serving in Yicelafo itself, and your father is a Ranger Lieutenant, currently patrolling the borders.
Omo Thunderjaw- Your best friend, brave and true. He is currently an aspiring Ranger, and is eager to leave the Vale.
Elana Foundwasps- An old flame of yours, she is currently studying with the Mage the next town over.
Pevo Zephyrtempest- The village Sage- you can ask him for knowledge of what history the elves possess. He is somewhat absent minded and easily distracted.
Ari Wetdawn- The village Mage, here to cure ills and bless crops. He knows much of Life magic as well as magic in general, but is also most likely to discern your true nature.
Curo Nightroar- The Necromancer of Thrimesdur, said to be insane, he controls a massive army of the Undead and threatens the Cremated Empire.
Pirate King- The Necromancer operating along the Jeweled Coast, he commands a mixed force of human and lizardfolk pirates along with his undead minions.
Luki Revereorder- a Merchant who possesses many strange things
-This one's a bit morbid, but bear with me. Take two crayfish. Shell one, leaving the meat inside as intact as possible. Remove the flesh from the second while leaving the shell as intact as possible. Attempt to revive both and compare the results. Is vitality in flesh or in bone? In both? Neither? Regardless of what we find, it should prove instructive.
-Try to find out if zombies have a memory, if they can be made to recognize specific objects. I recomend starting with a ball or something, and instructing a zombie to follow that specific ball wherever it goes. After testing it to make sure it works how we expect, substitute in another ball that has a different colour or a different size, and see if the zombie knows it isn't the right ball to follow. We can move to more abstract things from there, like having if understand things like "any ball" "any non-red ball" "the biggest ball" and stuff like that, or even to sort a pile of pebbles into stacks by colour.
-Attempt to raise a pile of ashes from a cremated corpse.
-Raise an earthworm and then, once it is raised, cut it in half at the border between two segments. Which ends, if any, are still animate? Continue cutting into halves at segment lines until all parts are dead or it has been divided into a prostomium, peristomium, pygidium and a pile of ordinary segments.
-See how much damage a dead body can sustain before it is unraisable
-Also, it seemed interesting that the loop was recognized as the center of life. We should test raising different rope Golems, some who are linear, some who are looped or knotted in different ways. How does the golem react to music, and what if we made one out of clay, with more distinguished features?
- Test Command Undead by commanding something you've raised to self-terminate. A further test of this would be if it could work on the undead that other necromancers have summoned.
- Test Command Undead, and see if can you over-ride commands given to a zombie summoned by another necromancer. Does the zombie respond to the most recent order given, or does it have loyalty to whomever summoned it? Or maybe it is under the control of the more powerful of the two necromancers.
- For Animate Object, see if you can make an object levitate, or move to your will. Maybe this could develop into telekinesis..
- we should try pricking our finger, and stealing the vitality of an insect or something, and see if it will heal the cut.
- Another thing we need to play with is fire. Fire golem? HELL YES.
-Play with blood. Maybe that's what the golem needs. Blood. Mix some of your own blood into the clay.
-Like we tried to be the ropeman when we raised our first golem, we can try to be the earth when we make a clay or earthen golem, etc.
- Try to infuse vitality into the crystal to see what it does.
- See what happens if you infuse Mana and Vitality into the same crystal.
World Map
Yicelafo
Author
Topic: You are a Necromancer! Chapter 2-36 Decisions, Decisions (Read 686296 times)