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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mathew_Freeman" data-source="post: 1194811" data-attributes="member: 1846">Blood Guard Xiang had grown used to the Spear's quiet whisperings. Day and night, whether it was in his hand or not, there was that almost-silent voice in the back of his mind, bidding him to destroy the evil that it claimed was all around. Xiang sometimes wondered whether the Spear really cared who it killed...that is, until he struck down another evil Priest or Mage and felt the Spear thrill in triumph only he could hear. But after the battle, it sounded stronger. It wanted more from him. Xiang had spent most of the battle either struggling to keep command, getting almost killed by Ogre Magi, shot at by goblins, and eventually watching as the spellcasters flew invisibly into the sky and rained down magical death from above. Even worse, the cavalry had been on the far side of the river. He'd seen their glorious charge, wanting desperately to be a part of it...and to top it all, Herecules had escaped. Now he understood why the others wanted to kill him. Xiang made a short stop off at the Tower of the White Way. His face was well known there now, it was well known everywhere since he'd briefly led the army. He dropped off his magical cloak and around 3000gp worth of gems, with a promise from the Wizards that the magic would be enhanced. He knew the value of such an enchantment. Xiang left behind all his possesions bar the Spear and a suit of breastplate he had taken from the battlefield. He turned and walked out of Gaxmoor, looking for a little solitude. The Spear hummed quietly to itself. He hadn't got more than ten minutes walk out before Cho found him with her uncanny speed. A short conversation followed in which he assured her he wasn't leaving, and that he would be perfectly safe by himself, and that he was not to be disturbed or sought out for any reason less than an attacking army. Cho departed, puzzled but satisfied. Ten minutes after that, he had to go through it all again with Elros. Finally shaking free his well-meaning companions, he strode further into the wilderness. ----------------------- Four days later, he felt as though he was getting somewhere. Something nagged him in the back of his mind - was he doing this to learn more about the Spear or was the Spear driving him to do this to learn more about him? He hadn't eaten, had slept in the armour he was wearing. Walking into the forest the first day, he'd found a clearing. This same clearing was where he now stood, holding the Spear. Once again he spun into action, the full sequence of moves and stances that he'd been working on. Each flowed into the next, including blocks, guards, parrys, deflections, strikes, leaps and spins, the Spear whipping through the air. Xiang, his chest heaving in effort, his eyes wide, moved to the final whisper of wind to the north sequence, but his concentration had gone again. Before he started it, he knew he hadn't got it, but tried all the same. Tried as he had spent four days trying. The Spear thudded into the ground, flat, raising some leaves with the impact. Xiang crouched, whipping the Spear around and from side to side, increasing the speed, before stepping backwards and bringing into into a precise vortex, the end of the Spear circling around, making the leaves dance around it, being drawn in, until with a sudden reversal of direction and thrust he finished. Xiangs eyes moved down to the Spear...only one leaf had been impaled. Failure again. If he had got it right, five leaves would now be stuck upon it. you need a little more help...do not fight me...become one with me and i will show you power/precision/movement The voice in the back of his head was a little clearer. Knowledge dropped into his mind, and before he had time to really think about what he was doing Xiang did as it bid. He made up a fire, stacking wood and twigs, until it burned bright in the evening. Standing before it, glad in the breastplate of a fallen warrior, he drew the Spear slowly across his wrists, then even slower across his neck. He was a fighter. He knew these could be lethal wounds. Somehow, it didn't seem to matter. Xiang dropped to the ground, lying unconscious on the carpet of leaves, the Spear still clutched in his hand. endless battles have i foughti have killed a demigodwas brought low by ambushi have struck down men, devils, demons, orcs by the scorei am yours now - and soyou are mine Images flew through his mind. Techniques against creatures, their vulnerable spots. More knowledge. the white foul flamethe shield of green fire He saw a man, weilding the Spear against a robed figure who fought with a sword of spells. The figure chanted for a moment, and Xiang knew that the spell was one to confound the man, to make him believe the robed figure was his friend. But the Spear suddenly flared green, bursting into emerald flame that covered the man without burning him, and the spell shattered upon the Spear. The man thrust the Spear through the chest of the robed figure, and the vision faded. now you learn another of my secretsand i one of yourswe are more than fighter/weapon nowyou/i are equals/part of a wholewe are onei am yours andyou are mine Xiang awoke. It was morning. And on his wrists and neck there was no sign of an injury. Later that day, as he continued to practise, he once more attempted the final technique. This time, as he moved backwards, circling the Spear, the leaves spun silently in the middle of the vortex, instead of flying around it, and with the final reversal and strike, it seemed to Xiang as though the world held it's breath for him. He looked down. Four leaves, impaled on the Spear. He turned and went back to Gaxmoor. His fast was at an end. blood guardmy blood guard of the Spear whispered the voice in the back of his head.____________ Notes: This passage describes Xiangs change in level from 11th to 12th. He acquired the feats Endurance and Greater Weapon Specialisation, the Shield of Green Fire special ability of the Spear, and the second stage in the Oraskh style from Quintessential Fighter. He is now a Blood Guard of the Black Spear, and a formidable fighter.</blockquote>

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