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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Marius Delphus" data-source="post: 69247" data-attributes="member: 447">How About This...In line with the "demon Namarra" idea, perhaps the sword was at one time the *prison* for Namarra. The paladin Surial was the last to bear this sword in the cause of Good, for the following reason: the sword itself would consume and destroy Namarra *forever* if used *only* to further Good causes for a certain length of time. Wielding the sword, which is in effect an intelligent magical item with a fairly high Ego, requires a strong, unbending will; in fact, the sword itself is inscribed "Never Sleeps" to remind its bearer to be vigilant regarding the sword's wily occupant, who can still whisper foul things in the bearer's mind during the day and send shocking, terrifying nightmares at night.Now, Surial lost the sword before Namarra could be fully destroyed. Namarra still lingers in the sword, but at only a fraction of its former power. Enter the lich-priest, who recently became aware that a captive demon lurked in the lost sword. The lich-priest becomes interested in obtaining the sword because he believes he can bend the weakened Namarra to his will, to further his own inscrutable schemes. The lich-priest learns that the sword currently floats upon a pool of water underneath (or within) an old, forgotten castle, and he also learns that entry to the chamber containing the pool, which was at one time heavily consecrated, is probably still protected by powerful divine magic (perhaps the riddles are the only remaining defense, or perhaps the lich-priest is correct about the additional divine protection).The lich-priest becomes convinced that subterfuge is the only way to obtain the sword. To that end, he captures and dominates a monk character, only to swiftly release the monk with information regarding the sword and deeply-hidden orders to return it to the lich-priest or some minion thereof (the lich-priest is canny enough to make it look like heroes freed the monk from captivity). Hedging his bets, the lich-priest also allows information to trickle down to one of the heroes' known associates, a wizard from whom they've previously received information.The lich-priest intends to gather some of his more powerful minions and follow the heroes to the castle (from a distance of course, so as not to be spotted). Again, the lich-priest is too wary to attempt retrieving the sword himself or risk losing his minions to the potent divine wards he believes are present. At the very least, he's perfectly happy sending guinea pigs to do the hard work... once they emerge from the castle, he'll simply engage, intending to claim the sword from the heroes' dead, cooling bodies....</blockquote>

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