Carnifex
First Post
Interrupted by the clatter Sebastion caused by tossing the amulet, followed by his outburst, Burl had to quickly tried to assuage his concerns.“Sebastion, you miss my point. The amulet would have used the dying life force of a dragon, not a person. Who could argue about using such a creature’s energy? Not I. Beside, I could very well be wrong in what I am saying. Mel could be more accurate.”
I keep forgetting myself with these people. Kale, Wyshira and Wolf understand that I mean them no harm. But these others haven’t been with me long enough. I must remember to not to speak out about my profession with just anyone. thought Burl.
"Why yes, he does carry the aroma of hay." Ebri spoke up in reply to Melisande's earlier statement, having just walked in to the breakfast table. She chose a hard roll from the basket of assorted baked goods without much interest. "That, at least, is a wholesome smell, quite welcome within city limits, I find." She cast her eyes across the assembled items on the table, lifting the vial of poison to view it closer in the light. "And certainly more wholesome than this." Turning it this way and that, she watched how the fluid moved, how the light refracted. She mused casually, "I wonder if it has an antidote...? I should like to study this, if no one has an objection."
Of the other items on the table, some were of considerable interest, though she was cautious about expressing too great an anticipation for them. For one thing, she had and preferred to have little means of carrying anything other than was necessary on her person. For another, the Immarian tenets she was supposed to profess precluded the accruing of large amounts of things. Mementos of journeys, small and of small value, were acceptable. And she wondered how she might choose the monk's items without casting doubt upon herself. Not that these others have a sophisticated understanding of such distinctions. And they have seen the way you do combat.
"I should very much be inclined to argue whether any being's life force should be used in such an item. A dragon is a great and terrible beast, but it is free in itself. Why should we have any right to chain its energy? How is that different from using that of a person? It seems to me the principle is the same, and such rationalizations merely justifications to increase one's own power at the expense of another creature..." She ended the comment with a raised eyebrow, but a not unfriendly smile. If they thought her prone to expressing unfavorable opinions, she might as well reinforce the notion of last night. And the discussion would distract from her personal appraisal of the items. And she was curious as to what they might say, she admitted. Philosophical discussion was something she had missed dearly since leaving the monastery.
As the others stared, she deferred quietly to Cord. "Elder brother, what of these things would you wish to have? I would not take something you would prefer to use, and might better use than me..." In response to Ebri's question, Cord replied, "I feel I could make good use of the straps, for certain..."
Wyshira had watched as Melisande and Burl put their heads together and babbled on about the enchantment process and necromantic energy. Burl was so completely absorbed in the discussion, eyes shining with professional fire, that he didn't even notice when Mel inadvertently insulted necromancers in general, evidently recalling the ones she'd known back home. Snot-nosed! Wyshira thought, snickering into her hand. No, Burl was nothing like that. And seeing him now, who would guess at his preoccupation with death. He spoke with passion and obvious intelligence about his theory, gesturing expressively, his features so full of...... of LIFE. Wyshira smiled to see him so.
But poor Sebastian! When he heard the word necromancy used in conjunction with the trinket he was admiring, he dropped the ruby amulet like it was a fire that burned him. Wyshira sympathized. She herself had been disgusted, even horrified, at Wolf's description of the Death's Heart powder, and had been dismayed at Burl's interest in the substance. Ebri made a good point about the rightness of using any being's life force in a magic item. It was not something that Wyshira had ever thought about, not having run into many magically enchanted items before. If necromantic energy was used to empower an item like the Dragon Amulet, did the process steal some of the creature's soul somehow, preventing it from reaching its appointed afterlife?
This line of thought somehow made the small pouch of brown-black powder even more repellent to Wyshira's sensibilities. She touched Burl lightly on the arm and whispered to him, "Don't take the Death's Heart powder, please!"
Burl was surprised by this sudden comment. “Why is everyone concerned about the draining of life force as an item is created. This happens when any item is created whether it is through necromancy or through a priestess’ god. When you eat bread, are you not drawing on the life force of the wheat? The wheat is no more and the energy created makes bread. What about when you eat a fish at your evening meal. Does that not draw upon the life force of the fish? The magical ring before us. When it was created, it drew upon abjuration energy of the creator. So it is with all magical items. Their abilities drain energy from someone or something. Life force has cease in order for mankind to continue. Necromancy just harnesses the life’s power earlier than other types of magic.You are my friends and companions. I would never think of using my powers on you to your detriment. You will have to trust me on this.”
Wolf raised an eyebrow at the bizarre conversation and reactions bouncing back and forth, but that was the extent of his emotional response to what he was hearing. "Interesting theories, but Ecurius did explain something of the nature of these things while he was divining their uses. I think Melisande's explanation is closer to the truth than Burl's. The amulet simply makes the wearer quite a bit tougher, by imbuing them with something of the nature of a dragon's tough flesh, but though doubtless it needed some interesting components in it to make, it's not necromantic. Transmutational, rather, I reckon. Besides, who would dare wear an amulet that was made with a bit of a dragon's soul? What do you think the reaction might be of any dragon who found out, eh? No, this ain't some sinister life-drainer. There's no-one's soul in there."
"As for the Death's Heart, I for one would rather our wizard was carrying something that could make his spells a bit nastier, rather than not, Wyshira. Lord Tarravus said it is made from the powdered heart of some undead guardian - sepulchural lurker or something, not a beast I've ever come across. That is all it is. I'm sure our patron would have mentioned any possible dangers if they existed. I've had enough run-ins with arcanists over my years that I believe him on this." At least Wolf seemed confident of this fact.
Wyshira glared suspiciously at Wolf; she hadn't expected her whispered comment to Burl to be overheard by anyone. To Burl she said, "A magical item made by a priestess of Ishrak is imbued with the power of the goddess, but only if the Storm Lady wills it. The creation of the item does not 'drain her life force', at least, not in any significant way, and certainly not against her will.
"I don't pretend to understand the arcane arts, and would not debate with you about any of it anyway. I just..." she glanced over at Wolf again, almost apologetically. "Well, the Death's Heart powder feels wrong to me; I don't care what it does for our wizard. 'Made from the heart of an undead guardian'......." Wyshira shuddered. "But you will do as you must, of course," she went on, her shoulders stiffening slightly and her tone of voice taking on a more formal note. But just when Burl thought that she might really be upset by the whole Death's Heart powder conversation, she added softly, "Burl, I do trust you. I know that you would never willingly harm any of us."
She set the prismatic javelin back down on the table, and stepped away from it. She would wait for Kale and Cord to make their claims before taking anything. And as for the gold, she would be content with whatever Wolf saw fit to pay her. "Well, if we are going to be leaving soon, I should start getting ready. Wolf, will we be stopping in town for rations and supplies before we go?
"I'll be in my room; just send someone to get me when it is time."
I keep forgetting myself with these people. Kale, Wyshira and Wolf understand that I mean them no harm. But these others haven’t been with me long enough. I must remember to not to speak out about my profession with just anyone. thought Burl.
"Why yes, he does carry the aroma of hay." Ebri spoke up in reply to Melisande's earlier statement, having just walked in to the breakfast table. She chose a hard roll from the basket of assorted baked goods without much interest. "That, at least, is a wholesome smell, quite welcome within city limits, I find." She cast her eyes across the assembled items on the table, lifting the vial of poison to view it closer in the light. "And certainly more wholesome than this." Turning it this way and that, she watched how the fluid moved, how the light refracted. She mused casually, "I wonder if it has an antidote...? I should like to study this, if no one has an objection."
Of the other items on the table, some were of considerable interest, though she was cautious about expressing too great an anticipation for them. For one thing, she had and preferred to have little means of carrying anything other than was necessary on her person. For another, the Immarian tenets she was supposed to profess precluded the accruing of large amounts of things. Mementos of journeys, small and of small value, were acceptable. And she wondered how she might choose the monk's items without casting doubt upon herself. Not that these others have a sophisticated understanding of such distinctions. And they have seen the way you do combat.
"I should very much be inclined to argue whether any being's life force should be used in such an item. A dragon is a great and terrible beast, but it is free in itself. Why should we have any right to chain its energy? How is that different from using that of a person? It seems to me the principle is the same, and such rationalizations merely justifications to increase one's own power at the expense of another creature..." She ended the comment with a raised eyebrow, but a not unfriendly smile. If they thought her prone to expressing unfavorable opinions, she might as well reinforce the notion of last night. And the discussion would distract from her personal appraisal of the items. And she was curious as to what they might say, she admitted. Philosophical discussion was something she had missed dearly since leaving the monastery.
As the others stared, she deferred quietly to Cord. "Elder brother, what of these things would you wish to have? I would not take something you would prefer to use, and might better use than me..." In response to Ebri's question, Cord replied, "I feel I could make good use of the straps, for certain..."
Wyshira had watched as Melisande and Burl put their heads together and babbled on about the enchantment process and necromantic energy. Burl was so completely absorbed in the discussion, eyes shining with professional fire, that he didn't even notice when Mel inadvertently insulted necromancers in general, evidently recalling the ones she'd known back home. Snot-nosed! Wyshira thought, snickering into her hand. No, Burl was nothing like that. And seeing him now, who would guess at his preoccupation with death. He spoke with passion and obvious intelligence about his theory, gesturing expressively, his features so full of...... of LIFE. Wyshira smiled to see him so.
But poor Sebastian! When he heard the word necromancy used in conjunction with the trinket he was admiring, he dropped the ruby amulet like it was a fire that burned him. Wyshira sympathized. She herself had been disgusted, even horrified, at Wolf's description of the Death's Heart powder, and had been dismayed at Burl's interest in the substance. Ebri made a good point about the rightness of using any being's life force in a magic item. It was not something that Wyshira had ever thought about, not having run into many magically enchanted items before. If necromantic energy was used to empower an item like the Dragon Amulet, did the process steal some of the creature's soul somehow, preventing it from reaching its appointed afterlife?
This line of thought somehow made the small pouch of brown-black powder even more repellent to Wyshira's sensibilities. She touched Burl lightly on the arm and whispered to him, "Don't take the Death's Heart powder, please!"
Burl was surprised by this sudden comment. “Why is everyone concerned about the draining of life force as an item is created. This happens when any item is created whether it is through necromancy or through a priestess’ god. When you eat bread, are you not drawing on the life force of the wheat? The wheat is no more and the energy created makes bread. What about when you eat a fish at your evening meal. Does that not draw upon the life force of the fish? The magical ring before us. When it was created, it drew upon abjuration energy of the creator. So it is with all magical items. Their abilities drain energy from someone or something. Life force has cease in order for mankind to continue. Necromancy just harnesses the life’s power earlier than other types of magic.You are my friends and companions. I would never think of using my powers on you to your detriment. You will have to trust me on this.”
Wolf raised an eyebrow at the bizarre conversation and reactions bouncing back and forth, but that was the extent of his emotional response to what he was hearing. "Interesting theories, but Ecurius did explain something of the nature of these things while he was divining their uses. I think Melisande's explanation is closer to the truth than Burl's. The amulet simply makes the wearer quite a bit tougher, by imbuing them with something of the nature of a dragon's tough flesh, but though doubtless it needed some interesting components in it to make, it's not necromantic. Transmutational, rather, I reckon. Besides, who would dare wear an amulet that was made with a bit of a dragon's soul? What do you think the reaction might be of any dragon who found out, eh? No, this ain't some sinister life-drainer. There's no-one's soul in there."
"As for the Death's Heart, I for one would rather our wizard was carrying something that could make his spells a bit nastier, rather than not, Wyshira. Lord Tarravus said it is made from the powdered heart of some undead guardian - sepulchural lurker or something, not a beast I've ever come across. That is all it is. I'm sure our patron would have mentioned any possible dangers if they existed. I've had enough run-ins with arcanists over my years that I believe him on this." At least Wolf seemed confident of this fact.
Wyshira glared suspiciously at Wolf; she hadn't expected her whispered comment to Burl to be overheard by anyone. To Burl she said, "A magical item made by a priestess of Ishrak is imbued with the power of the goddess, but only if the Storm Lady wills it. The creation of the item does not 'drain her life force', at least, not in any significant way, and certainly not against her will.
"I don't pretend to understand the arcane arts, and would not debate with you about any of it anyway. I just..." she glanced over at Wolf again, almost apologetically. "Well, the Death's Heart powder feels wrong to me; I don't care what it does for our wizard. 'Made from the heart of an undead guardian'......." Wyshira shuddered. "But you will do as you must, of course," she went on, her shoulders stiffening slightly and her tone of voice taking on a more formal note. But just when Burl thought that she might really be upset by the whole Death's Heart powder conversation, she added softly, "Burl, I do trust you. I know that you would never willingly harm any of us."
She set the prismatic javelin back down on the table, and stepped away from it. She would wait for Kale and Cord to make their claims before taking anything. And as for the gold, she would be content with whatever Wolf saw fit to pay her. "Well, if we are going to be leaving soon, I should start getting ready. Wolf, will we be stopping in town for rations and supplies before we go?
"I'll be in my room; just send someone to get me when it is time."