Editing Midnight RPG - Chapter 18.45.2

=='''Bluebook NOTES'''==
This bluebook bit is for Kyuad and Shadaar ALONE, if you are not them -  '''PLEASE STOP READING NOW'''   This is the entire conversation, so you can reference and add so far.

I apologize for breaking it up, but I inadvertantly invited others before seeing that Brandon asked to keep the last part PRIVATE.  I didn't want anyone getting the original Bluebook to read before NOTING my point for them to stop.


Nothing to see here for others... Move along.

Bill, Brandon... Continue.








=='''BLUEBOOK 18.42 continued'''==
''During the trip through the swamps and into the forest, Kyuad strikes up a private conversation with Shadaar and Nisse.''


==Kyuad==

'''Kyuad:''' With Nisse riding on Kyuad's arm he addresses his Fell ally, "Shadaar, I want to thank you for keeping watch over Nisse during your trip to escort the refugees back to their homes.  It is important to me that the both of you are... cared-for.  I wish I could say 'safe and well' but I'm afraid it would be unsensitive of me to imply that this is still possible.  With your lives now forever intertwined, we shall have to all three of us keep watch for each other.

"To that end, I have learned a spell from one of the books in Vrolk's library that will allow me to actually heal your bodies in emergencies.  What's more, though she appears as any good myling, the Proceedure that reversed her ener... no, that killed her... has also infused her form with powerful necromantic energy and she is stronger than before by a small degree."

Kyuad pauses for a moment, with a look of deep thought, but then interrupts himself and turns back to Shadaar.  "I am at your service in preventing you from entering a state of madness or worse - call upon me any time.  Do you have any questions I might be able to answer about the nature of your new existance?  Do you have any fears or concerns you would like to discuss?"


==Shadaar==

''*Looking more and more haunted the farther the group progresses into the Erethor forest*''

"It will take time for me to get used to this new existance. The sights. Smells... everything. It is all so different now."

"Although, I would like to thank you again. The madness. The hunger. They do not rule me now. I can still feel them both on the edges, waiting for me to let my guard down. ''*Shadaar shakes his head as if to clear it*'' Yes, thank you."


'''OOC:''' Kev do you want to make a Spot check for Kyuad? *Mine is an evil grin*

'''''ROLL:'''   Kyuad (Spot +1)  ROLLED:  17+1 =   18 ''  -  that's well above average...  <br> ''and Kyuad sees......''

Kyad notices a piece of sharpened wood driven through Shadaar's chest peeking out just below the neckline of his shirt. Looking closer you can also see that this is not a singular incedent - there are perhaps two others you notice as well, just barely, odd pointing bits just under his clothing.

"It was no problem taking care of Nisse. For she also took care of me."


==Kyuad==

''OOC: Assuming this is taking place after the group had left the influence of the mirror, Kyuad is going to cast freely for the moment.  This exchange is not something that Kyuad would care to keep private - if others observe or listen in, he would have no problem with that.''


'''Kyuad:''' "Hmm.  When we next stop, let me take a look at you."

When off their horses, Kyuad asks Shadaar to remove his shirt so he can take a look at the wounds he noticed earlier.  As he is looking, he calls Nisse over to his side and pulls out a golden eyepiece, which he puts over one eye and around that side's ear.  Kyuad and she speak to each other in the whistling and clicking sounds they make when seeming to communicate with one another.  Then she lands on Shadaar's shoulder, helping to pick out bits of wood.  "I am surprised you do not feel more discomfort from these being lodged into your chest.  But I should be able to make things whole again.  Perhaps you should tell me how you got these."


==Shadaar==
''*Looking a bit uncomfortable that Kyuad sees the wood in his flesh*''

"Umm. Well... I...

''*Shadaar is obviously trying to find a way to explain the wood that pierced his flesh, but seems like a child who just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar*''

''*Leaning over close and in a soft voice*''

"Could we go somewhere more private Kyuad?"

==Kyuad==

Kyuad and Nisse continue to work over the next few minutes, removing the obstructions and examining the injury.  With a quick smile Kyuad says, "Now is time for me to try this spell I just learned.  I relish the opportunity to use this spell - in the most general sense it benefits the whole of Aryth far more than curative spells do.  This spell shocks your system into processing energies faster, which in turn should make you stronger.  The side-effect, based on the way the spell is designed, should cause your flesh to actually re-form itself into more optimal conditions, as long as the damage is not too severe.  Now, hold still."

Kyuad says some things in a language unfamiliar to Shadaar.  A cold, black energy seems to draw into Kyuad's hand, forming a concentration in his palm, through the center of which is a window into the bones of Kyuad's hand behind the concentration.  Kyuad then touches the wound on Shadaar's shoulder, and the dark energy spreads over his body.  

"Any questions, Shadaar?"


''OOC: Mouse-over for Kevin's information: <br>Start Kevin's information<br><font color="white">The spell is ''inflict moderate wounds'', dealing 2d8+9 hp of negative energy damage.  From the spell description for ''inflict light wounds'', "Since undead are powered by negative energy, this spell cures such a creature of a like amount of damage, rather than harming it."</font><br>End Kevin's information''

==Shadaar==

'''OOC:''' Assuming that Kyuad will agree to go to a more private spot to converse. '''Kyuad:''' ''Yes.''


''*Walking away from the group after Kyuad has cast his spell, Shadaar looks ashamed*''

"Okay. Here it is. Ever since we entered this forest and have not had enemies trying to cut us down at every turn, I have felt... no that is the wrong word."

''*Shadaar has a look of momentary confusion and then continues*''

"This state that Vrolk has left me in is new to me. This forest looks green to you? Full of life? The sun warms your skin? The sounds of the birds and other animals are like a song? The soft forest loam embraces your steps?"

''*Shadaar's face starts to turn into a scowl. His emotions begin to get the better of him as he says these things and his voice begins to rise*''

"The taste of cool, fresh water? The smells and '''feelings of the living!'''?"


'''OOC:''' The group may have heard Shadaar yell at that last bit. You can make a Listen check for the group if you wish Kev.


''*Shadaar composes himself and talks in a softer tone again*''

"I apologize Kyuad my lashing tongue was not meant for you. It is just... I must eventually become used to this new way of being. Suffice to say that I do not feel as you do anymore."

"So to answer your question - yes those bits of wood '''do''' discomfort me. But I suppose that is the point. How can I explain? I suppose it is like being underwater. Everything is distorted for me. I do not feel anymore, the way others do anyway. When I look upon this forest I do not see beauty, I see death. The sun no longer kisses my flesh to bring me warmth, all I feel is cold. Even the very sounds of the forest are not pretty songs for me, but rather distorted and monsterous to my ears. Even looking at the living flesh is uncomfortable to me - I see it decay in front of my eyes, and I feel the pull of its taste."

"Watching all of you has made me even more conscience of these horrors. The group seems a bit more relaxed. They enjoy these living feelings."

"Perhaps what I did to myself was wrong. But to feel '''anything''' anymore, even discomfort and pain is at least something. So I hurt myself."

''*Shadaar trails off and stands perfectly still looking off into the forest*''

==Kevin==
uh ummm... wow....  Continue please.

== Brandon ==

For Kevin: Shadaar currently has 20 points of damage plus whatever he self-inflicted (I was thinking perhaps up to 5 points of damage - one for each wood skewer). So a total of 25 points of damage currently.

Minus however much (I assume) Kyuad heals Shadaar for.

== Kyuad ==

''OOC: Again, this is only as private as Shadaar wishes it to be.  If others come after hearing the outburst, Kyuad will simply continue to speak until Shadaar becomes uncomfortable.''

''Also, this is long.  If anyone wants to interrupt, just do so.''


Kyuad seems somewhat out-of-sorts as he silently listens to Shadaar's words.  Waiting a minute or more before speaking again, "I'm... not accustomed to helping in this manner.  When others feel pain, I usually get to work and leave them to it.  But this is something that I think you need me for, isn't it?"

Looking around the forest, Kyuad reaches down after a few moments and picks up a handful of loamy soil and leaves.  "You are correct though.  There is death and decay all around us.  Every living thing dies eventually, and decays to be consumed by Aryth.  This soil here is a testament to the rot that surrounds you.  Every little speck of the dirt once had a life - either as a leaf or as meat on an insect, or as dung from a passing animal.  And now it is dead.

"But does it not still live on?  Does it not still have purpose and meaning?"  Kyuad looks into Shadaar's eyes as he speaks, "This dirt that was once living flesh or vegetation has a new existence as the firmament and nourishment of others that live.  Without death and decay, those that still live would stagnate, starve, and wither into death themselves.

"You have a similar purpose in this world my friend.  The way of all life is born out in your continued un-life, giving you a chance to have meaning still.  What's more, the living things of this world depend on the un-life that you embody, otherwise the Universal Energy that flows through all things would never change."

Kyuad pauses a moment to see if this is understandable to an unlearned person, then continues, "Let me see if I can explain it better.  The energy which I referred to, the Universal Energy, flows through all living things.  It is as if we are each a pitcher with a small hole in the bottom.  As we consume and breathe and live, we are imbibed with fresh energy that originates with Aryth.  But we use it up as well, and once it passes through us it is like the puddle that forms under a leaking pitcher.  Aryth absorbs this energy and re-fills the living with it once it has been filtered and refreshed.  The amount of energy in the world never changes.

"But how does healing magic work, you might wonder?  It is an infusion of '''''new''''' Universal Energy, filling the body with a blessing of raw 'life', which causes wounds to heal and sickness to be cured.  But because nothing is capable of pushing more of this energy into Aryth than there already is; there must be a way of balancing things.

"That is the why the undead exist.  Continuing to live after death changes the way the body processes this energy.  It no longer takes it in and uses it, to empty it out again later.  It now only consumes and destroys Universal Energy.  It's as if your body were now a pitcher that will never be full, no matter how much water is poured in.  But this is not a bad thing - it is just the way of the world.  And it is necessary.

"Because, you see, the more energy that is consumed, the more that magic can create.  If it were not for undeath removing Universal Energy from Aryth, then my spells that cure others of their wounds would be the cruelest magic indead.  The magic would instead call this energy from another location somewhere, removing a spark of life from something else that still lives.

"For those of us who use the magic of Aryth and tap into the arcane energies that flow through the world, undead like you hold the Universal Energy in balance.  But the Shadow needs his own.  The dark god must supply his followers with a constant stream of curative magics in order to maintain his assault on those of us who resist.  To this end, he must secure control over undead at every turn, or he will be blocked from control over the very energies of life.  And the worst part is, he is far more hungry than those like myself could ever be, for in his power alone lies the ability to remove the disease of death itself.  The amount of Universal Energy required for this is ....  more than even I know.

"But you!  Though it feels like a curse, you are a blessing to this world.  You are the decay that brings life to those of us willing to stand against the Shadow.  And you stand with us.  And you are more than just soil my friend, you are a thinking person, capable of moral judgment and compassion.  You can direct your consumption and choose what to decay.  Your very existence stands in defiance against all that the Shadow wishes to achieve.

"Take heart.  This is all new and dark, compared to the warmth under which you were born.  But know that despite all you may be forced to endure, your continued existence is necessary to those of us who oppose the Shadow, and to Aryth itself."  Kyuad holds up Nisse, who looks just as regal and confident as any bird ever did.  As he looks into her hawkish eyes he says softly, "Were it not so, I could never bring myself to ask Nisse to continue her service to me."



== Shadaar == 
'''OOC:''' If others do start to approach, this will not affect Shadaar's response.


''*Shadaar stands listening intently to Kyuad's words, visibly shaken*''

"I... you have given me much to think upon Kyuad. You have given me a light where I found only shadow."

''*Shadaar smiles in genuine happiness*''

"I am glad to have a person, a friend, such as yourself near, who can give insight and bring compassion. Even though I do not know what this Universal Energy is exactly, I will remember your words and carry them with me as light to ward of the darkness in my soul. I will remember that death, like life, is a necessary function of Aryth. And so then must I be as well."

''*Shadaar looks more at peace, his eyes less savage, and he at Kyuad with great appreciation*''

"Thank you again Kyuad."

== Brandon ==

Nice bit of insight there! I like the concept of the Universal Energy. And Kyuad helps in bringing Shadaar back. Cool.


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[[Kyuad|KYUAD]] | [[SHADAAR]] | [[Midnight RPG - THE SOUTHIES|SOUTHIES]]