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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Carnifex" data-source="post: 750605" data-attributes="member: 227">"When I eat fish, the fish is already dead..." Sebastion muttered, probably unheard, as the discussion continued. Nevertheless, the attraction of the amulet was far more obvious on the back of Wolf's words, though he was forced to wonder if the old mercenary was simply calming the waters with what they wanted to hear. What didn't change, though, was the fact that Burl was a Necromancer. Who knew what strange rituals he was preparing - healing salves he'd been saying, but who were they to know? If they were healing salves, did they suck their power from somebody else that had had to die to provide it? Avoiding the salves, under those circumstances, made taking the amulet seem a worthy exercise, and he returned to the red gem with a cautious step. With the gem and the sword he figured he'd done well from the deal as he stepped away - as much from Burl as from the Trove. "Who here can use a bow?" he asked, desperate to move the conversation away from any more revelations about Burl's magical practices. "Those arrows could be well spread around..." Kale held his tongue as the news of Burl's death magic filtered its way across the room. Early morning, spoils in a pile, new comnpanions, and a task soon to be underway... a chaotic mix of events that promised to be at the very least interesting. Factor in new party acquaintances, and the near future looked downright packed. Hope we have enough time to loot the tower, Kale thought as he listened. Suspicions began to alienate Burl from the others, and Kale wondered if it migh be warranted. The man seemed well-intended enough, but then the young mercenary knew what paved the road to hell. Still, so many traffiked with power beyong their understanding, even Ebri's contact and Melisande's magic, and Wyshira's trusted patron... even Wolf's connection to the barbarian god Fenris. Taking his lead from Wolf's inclusive attitude, Kale leaned toward cautious acceptance. Besides, the mage was quite useful. "Burl," he said during a lull in the necromancy discussions. "You know a bit about magic, the alchemies... and you have a fancy for the gems." They were all skills or experience, not revelation of some kind of avarice. "Before we discuss the spoils any further, why don't you make an inventory? If we are all agreed, we can then portion the goods according to your best appraisal." In a mercenary band, it was a mistake to leave any doubt to who owned what, even considering what seemed to be good intentions on the parts of all. Sebastion held up the dragon amulet for the second time. The red gem in its center did not glow like when he and Kaelos were consumed in Cancer's cruel fire magic. It was satisfying, to say the least, to see those fell enemies finally eliminated. "Sentimental value, that one," Kale said as he too fielded his interest in the amulet. "I prefer Kaelos' trinket to all the others. But it is the prize of the bunch. Sebastion, I would like to deal with portions of the rest, perhaps more potions or gold for yourself, as that stone could really round out my ensemble." He finished deadpan, his batting and shirtsleeves still brown and hinting of the charsmoke he could not scrub out.Clutching at the chain of the gem, watching the light play across the facets as it slowly spun before him, Sebastion tried desperately to forget what he'd been told about how it worked. He couldn't. It was magical, deeply magical, and at first he'd thought his revulsion stemmed from its - possibly - being necromantic and steeped in the souls of dead creatures, Wolf's assurances notwithstanding. Beyond that, having surmised that was not the case, he thought perhaps the simple fact that it was magical was a barrier, but the arrows intrigued him, and had he not already laid an as yet unchallenged claim to the sword he would have willingly put himself forward for the mace. What it came down to, he realised finally, was him. The arrows, and their magic, changed themselves, and perhaps the target they struck, likewise the mace. The gem, though... The gem, should he wear it, would change him. The magical nature would intertwine with his own, and who knew what that might do to him, in the end. He tossed the gem, underarm, to Kale, and bent to look through the pickings for a scabbard for the blade. "You take it. I'll pick up some armour on the way out of town." he muttered. For some reason, it didn't lessen the frown that creased his forehead.</blockquote>

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