Taste of Life
| MIN LEVEL | START LOCATION | START REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | Mount Volmar (Abyss) (2, 9) | [none] |
InformationSteps:
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DetailsYou hear Jamesina's voice echoing through the Abyss. There is an tone which sets your teeth on edge. When you find them you see that Virmalthorn is pointedly ignoring her. Virmalthorn strides up to you, 'Good to see you Warrior. Jamesina is instructing on what is meant by being alive. It seems to her, the the requirement for a pulse is paramount in her thinking. When I asked her about whether I was alive, she assured me that I am a figment of incantation. I then foolishly asked how could a figment have desires and drives. She kindly launched in a highly informative monologue on her opinions about magic not being the inception of an effect, but rather a vessel for that effect. I am now struggling with the desire or “magical effect”, to strangle her and stop all the words falling out of her face. The only thing stopping me, is that I am afraid that she would argue that point as well. How are you?' You goggle at Virmalthorn and tell him that you are fine. Virmalthron then looks behind you, 'Err, why are the Lifedrinkers converging into the center of the Realm?' You turn from the Priest and see two Liches shambling purposefully past you. You should try to find out what has got their attention. You enter the Catacombs and are shocked to find the Zombie Warrior from the Barrow. His pale skin has deep scars on his chest and arms from the Scourge of Corinth. He grins broadly at you. 'We meet again Warrior. I must say that I am feeling much better than last time you saw me. I thought I would follow the Priest's advice and feast on the dead rather than the living. I then decided to come see the famous Lifedrinkers. They are feared amongst the Undead of Volmar for they eat other Undead as much as the living. I must say they are tasty! But their blood burns me, it's the magical energies they have I assume. So I thought I just need to get used to those energies and needed to eat some more of them. So I came down into their Catacombs to find some more.' 'I was surprised not to find anything down here apart from this laboratory. It's very important to the Drinkers I discovered. They keep pouring in and I just keep munching. But I cannot get used to the fire in their blood. You altered me before, can you see it you could help me get over this terrible indigestion?' The Catacombs are devoid of all graves, it's as if it has been cleared out. You look around and see some odd objects. You are drawn to a pile of silver Vials beside a stone altar. You pick up a Vial and see the molten silver liquid inside. It reminds you of the Spell Mirrors used by the Dominated Necromancers. Beside you is the stone altar, the objects on it look uncomfortably familiar. You should ask Virmalthorn and Jamesina about this. You receive 1 x Mirror Vial Jamesina pouts at Virmalthorn then she sulky asks you, 'Did you find out what was interesting the Lifedrinkers so much?' Jamesina glares at Virmalthorn, 'See? I told you my Hunter would find out.' She smiles proudly back at you, 'Tell me what you found.' You describe finding the catacombs empty of graves and the odd laboratory, then tell Virmalthorn that the Zombie Warrior from the Barrows is following his advice and eating the dead but that he is having problems digesting the Lifedrinkers. Virmalthorn nods thoughtfully. Jamesina stares at you in confusion, 'I'm sorry, did you find a laboratory in the Catacombs of the Lifedrinkers?' You nod and hand her the Mirror Vial. She hold it up and looks at the silver liquid within. 'This is the same liquid used in those Spell Mirrors. What else did you find?' You then describe the Shroud Statue and Stone Altar with the three Shroud objects on it. Jamesina bristles, 'I see! The Statue is a spell focus that connects them to the Shroud Realm and the three artifacts are directs links to the Creatures within that Realm. What I don't understand is what use it could be in the creation of the Spell Mirrors. I'm sorry Hunter but I need some time to think on this further.' Virmalthorn looms up behind you and you flinch in surprise. The Skeletal priest whispers quietly, 'Sorry, force of habit. I think I can guess what is troubling our former Heartless Warrior. The Necromantic Incantation of the Lifedrinkers is feeding of the Incantation within him. But these Lifedrinkers feed on other Undead without any problems. We just to find out what is within the Lifedrinker spellweave that gives them this ability. I have taken the trouble of scribing this Lifedrinker Audit. Bring it back for us to inspect.' You receive 1 x Lifedrinker Audit Virmalthorn is discussing the Mirror Vial with Jamesina when you return. You are relieved that they seem to be getting on better. Jamesina smiles at you, 'Did you get that Lifedrinker Audit?' She holds the flaming hand by her fingertips, then closes her eyes. Jamesina's hand glows with a yellow light for a moment, then her eyes blink open. 'Ah, I see. Interesting. The Necroflame is the central element to the Lifedrinker's Incantation. This means that their weaving is constantly in flux, flickering on and off. It does not matter that it flickers off as it does it so fast. But this effect will allow the Lifedrinker to ingest highly magical matter and it not interfere with their own spellweaving.' She hands the Audit to the Death Priest, 'Our friend would need the Necroflame added to his own weaving. But we can't just feed him the naked fire as it will burn against his own animation spell. We would need to hide the fire and then instruct the target incantation to absorb the new energies into it's own body. The only question is how do we add a new effect into an already stable incantation without unraveling what is already there?' Virmalthorns Wolf Skull open slightly, it is an unsettling sight. 'Somethings are best kept secret Seer. I accept your hypothesis and thank you for your help.' He then turns his back on you both and whispers something. There is a sudden chill in the air. He turns back to you. The Cyan Flames of the Lifedrinker Audit have been altered into yellow. Runes of blood are carved onto the bones of the skeletal hand. 'Take us to this laboratory, I might need to be present when you give our mutual friend this Vessel of Deathfire. Also as a long time inhabitant of Mount Volmar he might know where the Elemental Locks are located. We have not seen any sign of them so far.' You should give the Zombie Warrior within the Lifedrinkers Catacombs the Vessel of Deathfire. The Zombie Warrior munches on a Lifedrinker limb. You don't look too closely about which part it is. He finishes his mouthful, 'So you brought your friends with you. Did you find a way to alter me again?' He holds the flaming hand at arms length, 'What am I supposed to do with this?' Virmalthorn steps closer to the Warrior, 'I know you shun the flame. But this is because you sense that it will change you. Consume the Vessel completely.' He growls with anger, 'Do it now.' The Warrior looks at the flaming hand, then at the looming Death Priest. He obviously thought the flaming hand has less scary than Virmalthorn as he eats it hurriedly. He finishes then looks around. 'I don't feel any dif...' He does not finish the sentence, as he suddenly doubles over in pain. Virmalthorn watches carefully. The Warrior then falls to his knees and gasps for breath and begins to shake uncontrollably. Virmalthorn places his hand on the warriors back, 'I guessed as much' He whispers and he begins to mutter. At the whispered words the Warrior immediately stops shaking but does not rise. A ring of arcane runes materialize around the kneeling Warrior and Virmalthorn continues to whisper his spell. Behind you another Lifedrinker shambles through the door. It shrieks, 'You do not belooong!' Jamesina points a finger at him and the Liches bones shatter, reducing it to a shower of bone shards and blue fire. You stare at her. Jamesina shrugs, 'Virmalthorn gave me some pointers.' Virmalthorn's chanting fades away, you both turn back to see the warrior standing before you. His eyes now flicker with yellow fire. He grins, 'Mmmmm, I feel hungry!' he steps toward the door of the Catacomb when Virmalthorn stops him. 'Nameless Warrior, do you know where the Elemental Locks are located. We need to find them.' The Zombie stops, 'Nameless, yes I like it.' He grins at you foolishly, 'I also know exactly where the Locks are. We were tasked with killing anyone who came near it. I can lead you to it if you wish, it's nearer than you think. The Stairway to the Circle is actually located below the Shroud Altar. Follow me.' Follow the Nameless warrior below the Shroud Altar and enter the Circle. The Nameless Warrior stands uncertainly in the narrow corridor. The Warrior's flaming eyes stare at the gaping hole that descends into shadowy darkness. He points, 'Through stairway is the Circle. You will see the Elemental Locks. They are three massive statues marking them. I'm sorry, but I don't want to go any further. I have a new chance at living, I don't want to risk getting caught again and forced into the Dreadlord's service. He is not known for his mercy.' Virmalthorn whispers in the darkness, 'You have done well Nameless. You have shown us the way. Now choose the wise path, and live with honor.' The Warrior nods awkwardly. 'Good luck, you will need it. The Dreadlord is something out of legend. I warn you, he is very strong.' You receive 8,391,603 Xp. |
