A Book Full Of Riddles...

[*Selebius]

The cambion looks up from a table, on it several weapons of most exotic design are displayed. By his side a rather unassuming, very thin human with ever sad eyes waits, a notepad in one hand, a quill in the other hand, taking notes about the weapons- perhaps abot the design, perhaps appraising how much they could be sold for.

The demon looks up at Mauric, then at his prize but it is the man who he adresses.

"Spragg- what is do they say about this blade? Was there not some request concerning it?"

The inker thinks a bit then nods, answering with a low, hoarse sounding voice.

"Some Champion of Nerull was staying at the Gatehouse and has nor fled to the Hive. I heard she offers gold and favours for this blade."

Ely nods, then adresses Mauric: " You heard my assistance. Perhaps you want to work out a deal with that one. However...", he continues with a demonic grin "... perhaps you want to research what else can be done with it. Perhaps this relic can be used for our own goals, perhaps forged into a true weapon of power.

I leave this to you, Mauric. Yours is the prize, yours is the decision."

[*Krayt]

He withdrew the rusty blade holding it closer to his body with a pensive expression as he looked at it shifting sides of it several times.

"I have little use of meager wealth a favour however could be useful given it's a substantial one beyond the promise." Again he paused thinking. "While she could be convinced to aid us she could also deliver it to our enemies and I would loathe for that."

He loosended the strings of his bag and stuffed the blade into it resting his hand on the bag as he continued.

"She can wait for a research I believe. " He said with a mischievous grin. "If we cannot tap the power within then I'll use it to barter with mayhap this priestess will become a strong ally. I need one of Nerulls own to begin my research or can you Think of another mean to pry into the secrets dwelling within?"

[*Selebius]

"You could try to research its history, perhaps this gives you somewhere to start. The the help of a priest might be useful however as this thing seems to be attuned to the faith of Nerull.

I like your plans however- indeed this is an opportunity that should not be wasted.

Take forge seven for your research, the chamber is not in use right now. If you need something let me know."

[*Krayt]

"A valuble suggestion, but where does one begin to unwind such a thread of burid history I wonder. The theif has lost his wits, but perhaps something can be learned that leads to someone else more suitable. Or may the halls of reccords unveil something. It need some consideration."

He walked over to the seventh forge, placed the blade on the anvil. Holding his hand Closely over it he conjured a small amount of negative energy without projecting it directly into the blade. He could feel the hunger of the blade but was it hungering for? He had to be cautious or the blade could be broken before any usefulness had been taped from it. He considered to seek both Dearl and the Champion.

[*Selebius]

The blade rests on the metal- silently, as if waiting.

Once again mautic sees how simple its build and shape it, how crude the craftmanship. The metal is rusted and covered with filth, filth that seems to be already part of the blade itself.

The negative Energy has an interesting effect, the blade turning black at certain places, almost getting translucent like thin, polished obsidian.

[*Krayt]

Perplexed by the result he moved his hand to the tip and intensified the negative engery careful not to let it spill over the entire blade as he feared the disease might not withstand the exposure. The result could have been either strengthening or weakening the blade or simply a display of light he pondered. Putting his pinky finger on the darkened surface withdrawing it fast.

He took the blade with him asking Cromlich for a moderately fresh corpse to be delivered to forge seven.

[*Selebius]

Through the influx of negative energy the scythe blade darkens and soon is translucent, the marks of disease on it somehow merging with the metal now, first small bright islands in the dark, then spreading out, swirling and moving only to once again focus themselves in the blade's edge.

Only slowly the blade returns to normal after this experiment.

A corpse is delivered quickly.

[*Krayt]

He dragged the cropse to the anvil raising it so that its rotten back rested against the anvil. He clasped the head between his thumb and index finger pulling it towards him roughly befoe he pushed the head backward driving the blade into the base of it's decaying throat with the point plunged down deeply into the mellow flesh. Leaving the blade there as he retreated a few steps regarding the corpse. The head inanimately fell forward as he reliquished his grip until the jaw reached it's chest.

He waited patiently for a reaction pondering if the creature he had met was a manifistation altered by the blade itself.

((If there was no reaction.))He pressed two black onyxes into the mouth of the greyened corpse. Pulled a chain from the floor tieing the lifeless body to the massive steel anvil fast and secure. Drawing a scroll from one of his many scrollcases he read the incatation of animate dead before the chained husk.

[*Selebius]

The blade cuts through the corpse's rotting body with surprising ease and it even seems like the flesh and bones part willingly to accept the filthy steel.

Nothing happens then until Mauric casts the spell- the body suddenly straining against the chains, a violent hiss escaping dead lips, the air foul, dark, filthy fluid spraying out with the putrid air.

Then there is a flash of sudden darkness and the sound of the blade hitting the floor, then chains dangling against the anvil with a almost melodic chime, the sound not fitting to what just has happened.

The corpse is gone.

[*Krayt]

In disbelief his eyes rappidy darted down,up and to the sides searching for what was lost. Gone? That cannot be. Squinting he concentrated on the tunefully ringing. Was it a effect or a constructed sound made by a sentient being he pondered as he listened trying to memorise it through the onslaught of bewilderment. Had the corpse been spirited away to join the creature he had just left or had the realm of Nerull claimed it? he pondered.

He walked towards the blad ligging before him. The hand lingered over it as he hesitated to pick it up. But his fingers clutched around it in a decisive sweaping move unsure whether he would receive the same effect himself.