The First Lich Lord

A relatively simple ritual was sketched out around Ehud. I was part of the ritual, standing at the edge along with a pile of death cores on the other side.

Okay, when this starts, it will pull some soul energy from you, not much, just a signature. The death cores will be broken down and used to repair his own core and his soul will re-inhabit the body, Freya explained. The bound to serve trait, or one of the other similar traits, means the true soul does not move on when the body dies. Sometimes this means they come back as a specter, but we have the ability to avoid that as the living dead.

Freya had helped me draw out the ritual, I took careful notes so I could repeat it if I ever needed to. Magic flooded out of me, death magic powering the ritual. I was ready for it and a wisp of soul energy came from me and flew into Ehuds body. The death energy from the cores then poured in. The wound in his chest closed and the energy continued to consolidate there.

Though the wound appeared simple, the damage was quite extensive. The arrow had not only fractured Ehuds death core, equivalent of stabbing him in the heart, destructive electric magic ravaged his body, frying nerves and breaking down muscles and bones. The general, whose body had joined the archbishop, meat head paladin, and brainiac priest had been able to deliver truly deadly attacks with incredible precision.

The ritual finished, and Ehud lay unmoving. Then he twitched and slowly sat up. I moved over to him, pulling him to his feet. I dont know, how to thank you. You gave your life for mine, even though you did not know we could bring you back.

To my surprise, there was an amount of hurt in his eyes. We were all created to protect you, and we take that purpose seriously. I would lay my life down for you even if I was certain there was no way back.

I bowed my head in apology at the rebuke in his tone. I do not intend to question your resolve or your loyalty, I still can say thank you though. You imply that you knew you could come back?

Yes, Ehud said, though his expression showed he wasnt quite sure how to explain. We have talked about it, and we all have a sense that even in death we would find a way to protect you still, even from beyond the grave.

Likely its because your soul knows its purpose, Freya offered. It tells you that until Ezekiel is no longer in this world, you will not pass on.

Ehud nodded. Before I could say more and likely make a fool of myself, he headed back out on patrol. I almost called him back, but I had a sense that would be the wrong thing to do.

Elon had claimed the longbow and quiver from the general when Raven brought him back. I now took the time to inspect them, wanting to make sure nothing was amiss before she took them permanently. The bow was made of the horns of some unknown creature. Its pull weight was so massive that even un-enhanced I struggled to even make the string budge.

Kanliva

Weapon Class: Longbow

Magical

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Carved from the horns of a War Ram ridden by an elite dwarven force. The rams horns are known to be able to shred high steel. None but the mightiest warriors can pull back this bow, and still fewer can truly harness its power. The runes carved into this bow give and knowledgeable sniper a plethora of information that only they know how to use to its fullest. Additional runes prevent the arrows from making a sound as they leave.

Kanlivas Quiver

Magical

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Made from the hide of the War Rams whose horns made the bow, this quiver will harden any arrows added to it and can be augmented to enchant those arrows with different effects. When the arrows from this quiver are used in the mighty longbow, Kanliva, the power, speed, and strength of the arrows is greatly enhanced as part of the fury of the ram is contained within each.

They were truly impressive equipment, and I was glad my sniper had them. With the general dead, the forces had mass surrendered. Raven was off retrieving the captain who surrendered earlier. While I waited, I checked my character sheet.

Taking Maltis had gained me a total of five levels, a large portion came from taking such a large city. I had also gotten a ton for defeating foes that were so much stronger than me. I put five points into spirit and then ten into each agility and dexterity. Next, I pulled up Mercys description. I was pretty certain I should have a new ability.

Mercy

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Weapon Class: Blade staff

This weapon is a soul-forged weapon, its power will grow with you. It will adapt and change to fit your fighting style as you use it more. It can also be improved by adding things to it, though careful choices must be made when adding new aspects.

Level: 132

Abilities:

Dark Diseased Wounds: Through continual use of a spell that creatures slain by this weapon rise again as undead, the trait has become a permanent feature. In addition, your knowledge of a zombie plague means zombies you create with this weapon will carry the plague.

In Tuned Intent: Your connection with your weapon and constant use of the shifting ability and precognition trait has caused the shifting ability to evolve. Mercy now will shift even faster, sometimes shifting before you know what you want it to be.

Sheathing: You can at will summon and dismiss a sheath over the blade that perfectly hides the blade, can only be used when the blade is in default configuration

Telekinetic Control: This ability allows you to control Mercy with your mind at a distance of up to twenty-five meters and recall it to your hand from as much as fifty meters away. Your strength with Mercy when controlled in this manner is equal to the strength equivalent of your spirit score.

Death Conduit: Through extensive use of death magic and death energy through the weapon, it has grown attuned to death magic and death energy making spells using these abilities amplified.

Through knowledge gained about the origins of this mighty weapon you have also learned of several abilities.

Dual Weapon: Mercy can be split in half and wielded as two separate weapons. If one weapon is dropped or lost it will reappear with the weapon that remained in your possession. If both weapons are lost, they will remain separated.

Soul Capacity: Though the souls are no longer in the weapon the capacity for the weapon to store and use soul energy has remained.

Self-taught Abilities: Through constant use and experimentation you have learned specialized abilities for your weapon.

Eldritch Canon: You have learned how to channel a large amount of power through the weapon and into an apparatus that serves as a cannon.

Eldritch Plasma Blade: You channel your eldritch power through the weapon in a new way generating a dangerous new type of blade. The plasma can be shaped into different forms through your control over the weapon. It is excellent at destroying magical equipment and barriers.

I was glad I checked. Not only had Mercy gained a new ability, several of the base abilities had evolved. The in tuned intent was interesting. The fact it noted my precognition made me wonder if Mercy would begin self-adapting, that could be very interesting and very hard to learn. Abilities like this sometimes did not take effect until you actually acknowledged them, though I had noted that Mercy shifted easier as of late.

The dark diseased wounds was potentially, though powerful, also problematic. An uncontrolled zombie plague spreading across the country was not something I wanted. Though some people argued thats exactly what I should be doing. I would agree if it wasnt for the wholesale slaughter of the civilians that would be involved with that. I would have to be careful with that change. I wondered how long that had been taking effect and if I had just not noticed.

The final change was an ability I expected. The eldritch plasma blade made me smile. Now I had space ninja precognition and a blade made out of what was definitely not light. My smile was replaced by a frown, I needed to remember to pay attention to how Mercy was developing more. Especially now, zombie apocalypse was not a good thing.

When Raven arrived, leading the captain of the guard tower, I approached. I have a proposition for you, I said. Become living dead, join my side, and you can have the city, or be the general of the city if you dont want the headache of being the governor. I will also, in the process of turning you, give you immense strength that you would not have had otherwise.

Dont you want my name first? the captain asked.

I would like your name, but I was already going to offer you this when you honorably kept your oath as a captive without any I paused, trying to find the right word, persuasion, on my part needed.

My name is Gallus Herennius Pius. Gallus bowed to me. I will take you up on your offer, with the exception that I do not want you to enhance me. Strength gained without my own drive and determination is not worth having.

Freya, who was standing nearby, gave him an appraising look, but I spoke before she did. You accepted that fairly easily. I can respect you not wanting the enhancements I offered.

Gallus shrugged. The ravens bore your message well, and it was pretty clear what was going to happen if you beat the archbishop, so Ive long been thinking if I would accept the offer. I do not want the governorship, give that to some other fool, its not worth the headache. freewebno(v)el.com

Thinking about the gravitas system of managing things and what I had learned about governance so far, I couldnt help but agree. Well, that is fair, you can establish an administrator for you and still have rule of the city while leading its forces.

I will also offer my services, Freya said. I plan on taking the archbishops temple. I was about to say I had to give it to Shadehki, but Freya cut me off. Worry not about the raven god, they know already. They are more suited for smaller settlements and understand Thiar is a better god for large cities, since he can create living dead with much more ease.

Can the raven god not have the other temple in the lower city or even one of the smaller temples? Gallus asked.

Well, if priestess Dolores does not choose to remain in the city, of course they can, I said. I would imagine if not, they will take one of the smaller temples.

Youre letting Olattee remain? Freya asked in surprise. I understand that you do not hate all of them, but they are the enemy, are they not?

I do not believe so, I said. Tell me, Freya, what would happen if a very powerful member of the clergy turned their back on their god and led a revolt within the clergy? What would happen to the clergy that followed them?

Well, it depends on just how powerful this figure is, if they are strong enough, then while they would lose some of their power, it would not be all of it. She frowned. That is all I can say though, Thiar is telling me to quit talking.

I nodded, having expected that. Damien was awfully close lipped about it as well. I guessed gods didnt like this kind of discussion, even if they had been dead for a long time.

Abimelech approached, holding a piece of paper.

Lets see the battle damage, I said. I was not looking forward to it. This battle came with a high toll.

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