trans_9 | Spellcraft? Or Knowledge (arcana)? Who knows? [Open]

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Spellcraft? Or Knowledge (arcana)? Who knows? [Open]

Having given warning to the crew as they asked -- and regretting the days in his own lands, where massive ground-shaking detonations would earn no more notice than a peddler with delicious folded bread -- Aibghalien stepped into the sensorium. With a wave of his hand he bade it produce the image of his former laboratory -- much like his current one, save the outer walls were constructed of massive blocks of stone, testament to its position in the tallest tower of the castle he once dwelt in.

Then, with more painstaking care than it seemed worth, he began forming duplicates of each of his magical items, pausing to laboriously inspect each one before setting it to one side, next to its actual twin.

This promised to be a fruitful night.

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He nodded, slowly. "My experience is that... over time, such a weapon always extracts a price of the user. Slowly, gradually, but nonetheless real. And, well, forgive me for being forward, but I rather like you. Enough that I wouldn't want to see you come to any harm."

He raised a hand to forestall potential challenges. "I'm not saying you shouldn't have used it for the purpose you did, mind! But, it did fulfill its purpose. Would you consider giving it a place of honorable rest, until such time as it might have a new purpose that only it can perform?"

It's a fairly outrageous thing to ask of a recent acquaintance, and he knows this. But the power it held -- the power had honestly, sincerely frightened him. Not so much its strength, but its nature, its source... The best he could do is try to be gentle and open about this offer and hope she understood it was sincere and heartfelt.

Ronnae looked down, and for a long moment stayed silent, yet when she looked up she had a sincere smile.

"I understand... and I thank you for your concern. But this is a burden I must carry. It wouldn't be right of me to have used the souls trapped within this weapon and then set them down to be forgotten till they are needed next..."

She sighed, a guilty look on her face. "I've wanted to... the whispers can sometimes be disheartening... But still I must endure. I get rest once in a while when I walk out to relax, or take a stroll around. Even best when I sleep..."

She smiles widely. "That's one of the reasons I like to sleep. It takes the heaviness off me for that time. But I owe it to them, when I train and when I go into combat. To give them the sate their bloodlust and their unsatisfied hunger." She looked away, a pained expression of embarrassment clear on the youths face.

He was silent a moment, considering.

"I won't ask you to set the souls free," he said, eventually. "And if you feel you must carry the weapon, it isn't my place to stop you. But if it's starting to drag on you, that weapon is dangerous. You need some sort of counterbalance, I see that clearly now."

He managed a smile. "It wouldn't be respectful to those who gave their lives, and whose lives you saved, to sacrifice your own soul."

She looked thoughtful for a few, it was clear this young half orcess had been through a lot in her lifespan.

"I know... I know... dad wanted me to destroy the blade as soon as the task was done. But he also taught me honor and respect for all things be them allies and enemies..." She sighed.

"I... I'll carry the burden on me till it becomes unbearable." She smiled solemnly at the elf.

Yes. Destroying a lich of any power whatsoever was a feat in and of itself, and worthy of respect.

"Well, allow me to make a counterproposal. What if you were to carry the weapon, use it as you saw fit, but let it share its duties with another blade?"

Ronnae raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Hm? Like my mother's blades? Or something entirely new?"

"That's a good question, actually. The intellectual part of me says that the most logical thing to do is make them into a counterbalancing force, given that they're already highly symbolic." He mused out loud, stroking his chin as he looked down at the floor in thought. "But emotionally I can understand that any enhancement or modification, even beneficial, could very well blunt that purpose."

He looked back up, sitting back in his chair as he spread his arms. "This is for your benefit, though. What would make you happy? What would lighten your burden?"

Ronnae looked thoughtful. Clearly debating with herself. She finally looked up;

"I... no offense, I really don't like anyone else touching these blades." She re-sheathed the blades that where on her lap. "but I've been trained to use two oversized weapons in battle. It wouldn't be hard to fight with both Shadowmourne and mayhaps another weapon of your enchanted crafting?" She looked at him curiously, she wouldn't have thought the elf could forge weapons, let alone something that strong. Then again, she's been taught to never judge.

"No, I understand perfectly. No offense taken."

He was starting to get that manic, mad-scientist look in his eye as he considered the possibilities. "Easy enough to find a skilled weaponsmith on the ship," he said, inadvertently answering her speculations. "And for that, I believe I have the perfect idea."

He rubbed his hands together gleefully. "Finally! A chance to do some GOOD around here!"

She couldn't help but chuckle a bit at his eagerness.

"I'm sure you've done good already. But thank you for wanting to help me." She smiled sincerely.

"Not a thing, honestly," he admitted. "All I've done is sit around and tinker with my magics. This is at last a chance to do SOMEthing!"

He stood up, unable to quite contain his excitement. "No, this is perfect! Thank you, Ronnae. I owe you a favor for sure!"

She laughed a bit and nodded. "Glad I sort of did something I guess." With that she stood up and bowed respectfully. "I'll be off then! It was very pleasant to finally be able to sit down and chat." She gave a cheery wave and turned towards the door, her youthful stride apparent now that she was more at ease, long ponytails swaying from side to side.

"Feel free to come by my lab any time you like!" he called after her. "I'd appreciate the company!"

Ronnae waved as she exited. "Will do! Take care Abi!" And with that, the young half orcess left the lab.

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Spellcraft? Or Knowledge (arcana)? Who knows? [Open]

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