There were two things he hated about fate. Being called into a situation he didn't want to do or the fact he unknowingly stepped into an incident he thought he can pass through. Unfortunately, he ended up in a latter as he found himself running away from several hooded men who were screaming, "Get him!", "Don't let him get to the city!", and "Kill him!" while he dodged some trees around him. However, he didn't want to spy on these people, yet the sight of them in some kind of ritual just made him curious to the point he had to stop gathering herbs to see this. However, his curiosity led him to become a fugitive from these people. Groaning that they won't leave him alone as he looked at the men, he quickly stopped running and raised his right hand to them. "Praemium est in fulgur!" Thunder Burst Once he recited the incantation, electricity quickly gathered on his hand before it exploded right in front of him, releasing several bolts of electricity to the hooded men. With most of them paralyzed after they were hit or blind from the light, Verity quickly ran out of the forest as he used most of his strength to escape. Eventually, he found himself gasping for air as he sat down on a nearby rock to rest. "T-That takes care of those NPCs. But what in the world are they doing there? From the looks of it, they are summoning something from that ritual. Although, I doubt it's not like Azog spirit from before." As he can tell from that ritual, he remembered that most of the members were wearing black cloaks while the leader that he saw from the middle was carrying some kind of grimoire and was chanting some kind of spell. He didn't know what he just saw, but whatever it was, he knew he can't just leave them alone like that. If he did, then there would repercussions on what kind of creature they will summon. For now, he decided to keep his guard up as he used his rest to keep an eye around the plains for any signs of those cult members in black. @Lucia Mierz
Lucia only heaved a sigh, it was bizarre to see people so brazen, as to begin a ritual in broad daylight. Truly it spoke badly of the people as a whole, whether they were just unintelligent or very desperate it wasn't good for them to be either. Instead Lucia only collected her own forces at a thought, even if they were necromancers themselves they weren't necessarily on her side of things, instead by acting in the light hey even endangered her whole operation to a large extent making her sigh heavily. With a soft shake of her head, she instead gestured upwards towards the sky in thought her other hand opening the book she unwrapped and pulled from her waist that normally hung by her side like a weapon or gun. With a soft and unrushed voice she began speaking blankly as if her words were natural and normal. "Come, my hands in the dark, my Winter's Claw." As she spoke, the soil around her, and particularly Verity who wasn't far would begin to churn and move as hands began reaching out from the ground. Sometimes even weapons like claws or blades pushing and reaching up from below. The bodies were wrapped in black cloths and leathers, they appeared like generic assassins or thieves, draped in dark cloths with matching cloaks different or unique compared to those assailants from earlier. Curse Calling Winter's Claw The creatures coming up wore polished metallic masks without holes to see, without spaces to breath, as if it had been melted over their faces, they wore masks that would no doubt not come off no matter how hard someone tugged. Their cloaks had a similar matching simple of jagged claw marks stitched into the back identifying them as a single cohesive unit but they were uniquely equipped, some had a myriad of blades along their arms and in their hands, others only had vials of liquid or carpentry tools or sacks strapped to their backs tightly. A bizarre group, but they pulled themselves from the ground silently, some reaching down to assist their comrades largely ignoring Verity who was hiding nearby, even if they were standing close to him, as if not seeing him they wouldn't bother with him. "We are undying, we are unseen, and we are unstoppable." She'd finish her incantation with a series of hand gestures as the creatures stood tall. If Verity looked them over closely, he'd find that none of the summoned masked men had feet, if their cloaks moved too far or the wind pushed too strongly it would be clear they were floating like ghosts of some kind. Lucia only glanced among the small group that slowly approached her, with a firm nod she gestured her hands out to gather their attention. "This is not a job for the Tal'Darim, so I'm afraid I must rely on all of you. I've not had much contact with your order, the Winter's Claw, but live testing isn't completely unusual. I've not taken on a task like this before, so to begin with, I will need a lay out of the surrounding area, the location of those idiots and someone to deal with the locals--" Lucia began listing off the things that would make this run smoothly, she wasn't exactly a good fighter or politician, but she made for a good schemer and plotter, this sort of thing seemed right up her ally which was why she felt comfortable testing a new small army without trying to understand their ins and outs. In reaction to her orders though various cloaked figured from her group began splitting off one by one. After getting a certain distance they would disappear like smoke into the horizon or behind trees as they endeavored to go about their delegated duties. It was only after receiving orders though that a pair turned towards Verity, his frame and expression reflected in their metal masks like a mirror as they reached out towards him. If he didn't struggle, they'd merely tug him towards Lucia, though the tugging would be strong, it wouldn't exactly be violent or terribly forceful, as if they were unsure of the man's identity or purpose in Lucia's plots, they tried not to be too rude or too polite.
Because he had to grow cautious around his surroundings, it was no surprise that he can hear something that was not far away from where he was. Curious, he slowly followed the noise with his hand still on the handle of his sword. Upon he saw the commotion though, his eyes widen to see a woman finishing some kind of an incantation as the cloaked humanoid creatures approached her. "What the?!" Hiding behind a tree, he took a closer look at the black-cloaked men near the mysterious woman. But to his surprise, they don't have any feet on the ground, not to mention their strange metallic masks that seemed to fuse into their faces. "There's something you don't see every day." Judging by her appearance, her clothes are very similar to those men from that strange ritual. Is she connected to those people? And why she was here in the first place? Those are the questions that ran through his head. But before he silently approached them, his eyes widened as he saw two of those black cloaked creatures approaching the Alchemist. "Darn it. Just when I think this day would get any more irritating." He raised his hand to the creatures and whispered, "Qui flare ventos, per v-." Unfortunately, with him still chanting the spell, he was completely opened for the two to grab his arm and was pulled in the woman's direction, which caused him to fall face-first on the ground. @Lucia Mierz
Lucia wore a somewhat bitter smile seeing the man struggling against her wraiths. Surely it would be easy to be freaked out by the scene she thought but to suddenly think of striking without the other party showing malevolence? It was a harsh reaction that made her remember she was the 'villain' in the eyes of a lot of people. Despite her best efforts that label would be hard to get rid of so long as she was a necromancer. "Relax, relax, this isn't as bad as it seems." She couldn't help a heavy sigh, rubbing her temples briefly, as if considering how to deal with this. Someone who'd seen her and attacked on sight was always a red flag, it usually always devolved into conflict which would result in her killing the other party in self defense to escape their own efforts at perceived self-defense. How frustrating, she always thought, people simply couldn't take her good will at face value. "Mortimer, this one?" She asked, with concern, but a voice seemed to answer her, as if carried on the breeze without a true source. "He simply fled the ritual sight, several cultists pursued him, I didn't see much more then his escape though." The voice explained, it's tone was very dignified, it drew the picture of someone who was refined and elegant, but there was no body or source to be seen. Instead, Lucia only looked down at Verity, initially suspicious but thinking back, this person was familiar. "You were there during the Azogg raid weren't you, that's where we found Lina wasn't it." Lucia commented, remembering Verity vaguely from that world boss. It was where she found one of her newest generals aside from Mortimer, Lina who was once one of Azogg's followers in life, would become a lich of Lucia's in time. Though unfortunately, the time wasn't quite ripe, Lucia couldn't bring the undead sorceress for an introduction or pleasantries, her remains weren't yet ready to undergo such a change. With a gesture, the floating masked specters moved back from Verity, giving the man some space before disappearing into a wisp of smoke. Lucia only nodded back, brushing herself off as she explained. "You should have seen my Tal'darim knights during that quest-- you shouldn't be so surprised, Wraiths are about the same as Death Knights in Tier and potential. They just have different skill sets." She tried to explain, unsure if Verity would remember her or the undead knights who fought against Azogg. It was a chaotic situation, but Lucia believed it would be hard to forget a knight order that was amongst the players during the fighting.
How humiliating. Not only he had to flee from those cultists all because he had to be curious, but he was caught by those dark creatures so easily. Another reason he was starting to plan to quit this game very soon. It was starting to affect his work schedule and deadlines already. It even made him wonder why he kept playing this game in the first place. But once the woman mentioned about "Azog", he stared at her in confusion. But thinking back at that battle, he did remember her along with those strange knights that were with her at that time the Prince of Fire was on his last legs. Did that mean that she summoned those knights back then? Standing up from the ground after the wraiths disappeared, he glared at the woman, still suspicious of her actions in the forest. "I don't know if that was you during the Azog battle. But considering you were fighting by our side back then, then I'm just glad you're there to battle with us until the end." Being a man with a troubling past regarding trusts, he then drew his sword and pointed at her while he didn't leave his sight on her. "Though, you were able to use some kind of summoning magic, one that I have no knowledge from the character creation. Not to mention your attire matched almost the same as they were wearing. Unless you give a good explanation that you're not one of them, I'm afraid our meeting will be short." @Lucia Mierz
Lucia chuckled a little, nodding back when she was recognized. From the start the Tal'darim knights had been by her side fighting against Azogg. Unfortunately, when the lava rose, she had to sacrifice them to try and get rid of the monster's summons, however, towards the end she once more used them to help finish him off. It was a somewhat painful moment for her, her summons were treasures she didn't like wasting but it was for the greater good at the time, she was proud they could make a difference in the raid. "There's no reason not to, we were all on the same side, letting Azogg go would have been terrible." She confirmed shaking her head knowing that a flaming deity like creature would only spread disaster and tragedy where ever it went. She didn't want to see such a thing come to pass at the very least which was why she joined. When the blade was drawn though, a figure appeared between them from a wisp of smoke. As if suddenly coalescing from the wind, it wore a silver mask much like the other summoned wraiths, but something was off about this one in particular. He wore an officer's long coat with a tall collar, his head wrapped and his face covered by that same strange style of mask. Like the others his coat flowed aimlessly in the breeze. The creature lifted a gloved hand up to Verity's blade, palm to the point, a gentle cautioning gesture. "Please remain calm, if the Matriarch was your enemy we would have moved against you much sooner. The Winter's Claw have always been assassins and saboteurs, if we exposed ourselves so easily would it not be doing a disservice to our traditions?" The phantom asked, as if Verity's question were absurd. Why dress this way if there wasn't a reason? Certainly the cultists might have reasons of their own, but why should traditions or concealment mean they were on the same team? Would everyone carrying a sword and wearing armor also be the same? Rather then letting the figure try to justify their style though, Lucia could only sigh a little, again feeling judged for her choice in mastery. "You do realize there is no summoning ability among those in the character creation screen right? I researched that before starting." Lucia offered, the basic masteries had no means of summoning after all. She was also the first to have an evolved mastery as well, it was natural people would be bothered if they'd never seen one before. "Necromancy naturally summons, in this case, wraiths like Winter's Claw, or Revenants like Mortimer." She explained gesturing to the phantom trying to calm the situation.
He was hoping that this woman would explain herself about her abilities and her appearance in Brisshal after he escaped from the cultists. But he wouldn't expect her summoned creature stopped him instead, which he was surprised at how he calmly spoke to him. It did make him a little unnerved at this, but his words along with the woman's added explanation about her mastery that he never heard before in this game were enough to sheath his sword. "His words convinced me. I'm sorry about that. My escape from those cloaked men caused me to be a little too paranoid about them." But still, why in the world did this woman have the power to raise the undead as her minions. She acted level-headed and calm so far, but the real question was her true face behind her facade. "If I had to guess with your explanation, your Necromancy must be a special mastery you have to unlock somewhere in this world, correct?" @Lucia Mierz
Listening to Verity explain his paranoia, Lucia only shook her head knowing it was only right. Even if he'd blatantly attacked her she couldn't exactly blame him, only it would likely end up like the others who often attacked her on sight, particularly with the Winter's Claw summoned around her. While it might seem like she'd summoned Mortimer from the Aether, in truth he had been there from the moment she cast her spell, the voice reaching out to Verity from the winds previously was also his. Wraiths, Phantoms and Spectors were all ethereal Ghost-type undead, one could be surrounded by them and not even realize until it was too late unless they had the proper equipment or skills to combat them. "It's alright, there are a lot of people who don't take my words on faith either, I've hurt a lot of innocent people in the past who's only crimes have been thinking I would strike first if they didn't." Lucia could only bitterly chuckle at that harsh reality. She was a good person in truth, welcoming, friendly, a hopeless romantic even, but she had to play the role of villain from time to time to those who were self-righteous enough to strike first. It was an unfortunate reality of having skill in an art recognized as evil or dark. "It is special though, I met this game's Goddess of Death, and she gave this mastery to me in the form of a book." Lucia explained with a modest chuckle, it was something she was quite proud of and didn't try to have a big nose about it, but meeting a goddess was still very special to her. Though she felt she was getting off track, stepping around the Phantom man who lifted a palm to try and ward off Verity's blade tip, she wore a relaxed smile. Bringing it's ethereal arms behind it's back, the gloves slipped back into the sleeves as if disappearing as Lucia continued. "Mortimer's been tracking this group for a while, the vile type of dark mages. Normally I would try not to involve myself in the troubles of the town, but I can't have my own people terrorizing the public." Lucia offered an explanation, she did adore the undead, and would protect them where ever possible, even at the expense of normal people. Her loyalties simply rested with those most loyal and supportive of her after all, there were naturally bad eggs though. Those few with unnecessary hostilities against the common folk weren't cut from the same cloth any more; despite how some might rant and rave about how important a war against the living might be, Lucia believed in co-existence. The world is too big a place to get hung up on hating your neighbors. Those few bad seeds were the ones who grew the misconception that all undead were evil, it perpetuated the stereotype that Undead were monsters. "If they're not stopped, people will keep thinking I'm like them, right?" She spoke with a bitter laugh considering that was what had just happened.
In what the woman said to him, he can guess that her appearance and her spells might leave an impression of her as a villainess. But despite him still suspicious at her true colors, as far as he can tell so far, she was somehow friendly to him. Although, he can't understand how meeting the Goddess of Death and the book representing her mastery over the dead was special to her. Then again, he didn't understand the memories of this virtual world to him due to his disinterest to the whole game itself. Still, the concept of unlocking a mastery that wasn't available during creation piqued his interest a bit. But back to the main topic, he quickly understood her explanation why she was here. "I guess even in this world, there are people who can judge anyone with stereotypes. Although, the main mystery right now is that what kind of undead are they even summoning. From what I know, they seemed to dislike anyone who tries to report their activities to a nearby town or city."
Lucia nodded back at the comment on stereotypes, she and those she viewed as her people suffered from those largely. The Tal'Darim, even the Winter's Claw who used to be horrifying and villainous people were now very supportive and friendly under her rule. The undead didn't need to be villains, if people would only give them a chance. "That's right, the undead are only as evil as you make them. Some are naturally bad on their own, but it's the same with humans-- How many villains has human history had in comparison? In my eyes, we're the eviler species by far." Lucia commented with a flippant gesture. Humans were a cruel sort, the kind who would ostracize and attack their own. At least the undead wouldn't target their fellow undead. Though the comment about exactly what they were summoning made Lucia turn towards the floating phantom in question. Noticing the silent cue, the Phantom hesitated briefly before a gloved hand gestured at the air idly indicating that he'd explain. "I cannot be sure from the make of their magic circle, I'm afraid I'm not well versed in high level Necromancy formations. From their materials though I would guess it's a Bone Collector." The Spector mused with a thinking gesture, hand on it's chin as it voiced it's suspicions. From that information alone though, Lucia shook her head in answer knowing it might not be accurate. "If they gathered the materials for a Bone Collector it might even be a higher level Corpse Collector if enough of their people are willing to die for it. This is unsettling; Chimera are very difficult undead." Lucia couldn't help complaining. If Verity had knowledge of the monstrous variety of undead, he'd recognize the collector Undead as a group of golems made from numerous dead remains piled on top of together to create a disfigured monster that grew stronger by eating more material. "We'll need the Winter's Claw alchemists to put it down. As for the cultists, well, dealing with them should be no problem for your people right Motimer?" She asked, but the response she got was an assured chuckle as if such a thing were rhetorical and needed no mention. "If you don't wish to involve yourself, we can take it from here if you'd like to run." Lucia tried to offer to Verity, worried the man might be too nervous or afraid of dealing with such a monster.
Even in fantasy, he can't stand anyone judging others just by their appearances and their skills. Whether if they have Berserk or Necromancy, he felt it was worst compared to racism back in the real world. In fact, he was labeled before as a "nerd" and "know-it-all" due to his high grades in middle school and his intelligence. It was another reason that those bullies from his high school days manipulated his feelings to see how much of a "nerd" he was to the entire school just by pretending to be his very first best friend. To him, this was one reason he became a cold, cautious man that he was today. From what the woman's undead companion told him, just a mention of that name gave him memories from his past experience during his solo training. "I heard about Corpse Collectors. I only got their name, but I fled from those monsters twice during my training." Ugh... He almost lost his life from them if he hadn't made a right decision to flee. He has low Masteries at that time, so he had to do what he did back then. But as for her offer to take over, Verity nodded no as gripped his sword's handle tightly. "I would, but I prefer to help you out here. Like I said, they can kill anyone who dared to report their activities in a nearby town. Even if I try not to tell them, there is a chance they will continue to hunt my head for it." But another reason than being cautious to others' actions toward him, he felt that the woman may need more than just her undead allies to aid her. @Lucia Mierz
Lucia nodded back, hearing of corpse collectors wasn't strange, they were pretty infamous for being rogue monsters. There was even a field boss that was once a corpse collector that was allowed to farm too much. Though fortunately there had never been one that made it to the world boss level of threats. "It's not unsightly or cowardly to run-- Particularly from a Corpse Collector. A Tier Four abomination is above my summoning standard at least, if I were to try I would need to sacrifice people like they did. They don't have very many flashy skills but they steal body parts from corpses to create superior physiques that put people at a disadvantage." Lucia admitted, she wasn't skilled enough to build such a monster yet with just her skills alone. Even if she were though, the abominations were not a field of undead she wanted to become well versed in. Naturally Lucia was a little surprised to see Verity volunteer to help, it wasn't unwelcome though. Nodding back, she glanced to the phantom once more in thought before finally commenting. "Mortimer, give him a set of ingredients then, if I remember right he's an alchemist too so he'll be helpful to the group. Abominations are always more vulnerable to fire and acid damage that will break down their materials." Lucia assured, thinking back to Azogg, Lucia had a good grasp on those who were in her section, Verity was one of them who happened to end up in the same area as her. "Hm, very well. I have Sanguine Grain, Egleashell and Redreove, I'm not sure if modern Alchemy has a better recipe for a weapon coating though-- Would you prefer the Throned Lavender for a deeper melting burn or the Sun's Tea Leaf for flashier flame?" Mortimer offered pulling out a set of ingredients from his large jacket's interior still sifting around in consideration thinking that there was a chance Verity might need more to prepare. Lucia could only bitterly laugh, blinkingly as Mortimer tried to discuss recipes and potion ideas. The Undead Wraith had a myriad of skills in various fields as an assassin and saboteur, alchemy and poison was naturally one field it understood well. All of the ingredients it listed off though were ones Lucia had no idea about-- whether the properties or what they could contribute she hadn't the foggiest. Mortimer however seemed content to discuss alchemy since Lucia had spoken up on Verity's behalf. "Well... In the mean time we should surround the town to make sure none escape, I suppose I'll organize the Winter's Claw." She commented feeling a little left out, though not in a bad way.
He gritted his teeth just seeing those images in his head. This even made him wonder who in the right mind came up with an idea to summon that monstrosity. Not to mention the requirements to summon it was enough to disgust him. But insights aside, he knew that the other body parts would be a problem if their ritual would succeed. But despite the cynical prediction, he felt that with his most of his masteries are now proficient, he might able to survive an encounter with it. While he wasn't prepared to stop a cult, the woman's undead companion gave him some herbs for him to make some items. "Just a Throned Lavender would be nice, thank you." He would try the latter for its effectiveness, but he felt it might be better with the acid able to help him cut through its body very easily. "I'll try to prepare some potions and oils for the confrontation. It's better than going back there empty-handed," he said as he took out his alchemy tools and started working on brewing some needed potions that Mortimer suggested. As he did so, he realized something regarding this meeting. "By the way, if we are working together, we might as well share our names."
