Question your adjutant about the nature of the heart floating above his head.

>>488415
That's a hat, knocked off his head by her last attack.

Make your way down and beat her ass with the flat and hilt of your sword.

>>488407
Given our current attunement, a fireball would probably kill her. More Trasus.

She wont surrender because surrendering is a fate worse then death, as far as she knows. Who knows what monstrous things you would do with her once captured... So you have to defeat her.

I say hit her with an orbus zephra, shouldn't kill her but hopefully will knock her down for a quick port and some hitting.

>>488443

And given some more time to mess around, she'll harm us more and may kill us. Creator is already having a spinning head and aching ribs. I'd like to beat hear without killing, but I don't want to risk our lives too much...

>>488443
I gotta go with this; if we burn her to a crisp we'll be no better than we were when we were brainwashed.

As a counterpoint, I'd like to note that if we don't use an offensive spell, Trasus will get quite weak.

We could try out a wind element spell? That's non-lethal.

>>488458
If we max out our negative energy first a new attacking spell will be more effective. We could go for Torrentus Zephra once we get to full negative.

>>488458
It doesn't really matter if Trasus gets weak; it's not like we're teleporting very far. Also, if I am reading the discussion thread about the rules correctly, if we use Trasus Fuge it will have all the power of a charged offensive spell, but will also continue to drain our attunement.

So that's my vote. More movement and dodging until we max out power.

The Revenant Mage 2013/01/28(Mon)20:43 No. 488502 ID: 5a4bc5
File 135943459057.png - (64.07KB , 800x600 , 53.png )

I Trasus off the roof, but only make it about halfway down to the ground. As I pop into existence eight feet off the ground I experience the feeling of assuming a phantom step in a dark stairwell, writ large.

"Trasus! I squawk again, and blink the rest of the way to the ground. I land ungracefully on my hands and knees.

Before me Astrea charges another of her glowing, fulminating spells.

Headbutt her hand.

Ground your blade in front of you. It's still lightning.

Orbus Zephyr.

>>488508
Yup.

>>488508
Thirding this.

The Revenant Mage 2013/01/28(Mon)22:42 No. 488516 ID: 5a4bc5
File 135944176233.png - (70.63KB , 800x600 , 54.png )

"Fulga Zephra!"
I slam my sword into the ground and take Astrea's lightning bolt full in the arm.
My side snaps into numbness. The electricity arcs down my spine. My leg kicks violently. My ruined tongue lashes and twitches. My fingers tighten on the pommel of my blade as flaring light dances down its surface. The pain is sharp and clear. I feel every pore down my forearm searing.

It is here doing battle with the daughter of an innocent woman I drained dry as bone that I feel gloriously, screamingly alive for the first time.

The Revenant Mage 2013/01/28(Mon)22:46 No. 488517 ID: 5a4bc5
File 135944196085.png - (114.13KB , 800x600 , 55.png )

I push myself off the ground and spread my arms out wide.

The power is below my skin and bubbling up from my throat in bilious coils ready for release.

"Orbus Zephyr," I say.

My ears pop and my lungs empty as the air around me violently expands outward, picking the Advocate Mage up like a ragdoll and dashing her against a wall some twenty feet away.

She crumples, immediately unconscious.

make sure she lives but also make sure she can't cast when she wakes up.

>>488517
Looks like we won, Creator. Ask if there's a doctor around, to check on her wounds and help her recover. Perhaps ask Spidrift how you maintain your body in its current condition?

>>488518
That seems quite unnecessary! We could check with Spidrift as to exactly how a duel like this is decided, and what happens to the winner and loser. We should also get the glove back so nobody catches a good look at your hand... I don't believe the villagers are aware of your identity quite yet.

Ask Spidrift if it's done and this won't give us any adverse effects if we leave now.
We can leave a note on her person if we still want to mend our reputation.
If Spidrift asks about how weird we're acting with all the mercy, say it's reputation control. It's just all part of the game plan. We're playing an all new game here, one with focus and an end. It is a time for more restraint.

HE said he would rather avoid destruction earlier. Well, he should know that everything heads that way. Even yourself. What did he think your withering away even meant if it's not your time to perish? We got shit to do, son. Before the inevitability catches up to us.

Best run over to her to make sure she isn't faking it and that she gets the medical care she needs. I don't think any of the other villagers know anything other than that we're a mage who fought their mage. It should be safe to hang around for a little while at least, the only threat is unconscious.

If we stick around until she regains consciousness we should behind her hands and gag her first. Should prevent most magic that could threaten us.

The Revenant Mage 2013/01/28(Mon)23:20 No. 488527 ID: 5a4bc5
File 135944404769.png - (14.61KB , 800x600 , 56.png )

"Spidrift, go to her," I say. "We need to find out if she's feigning this and if she isn't we need a doctor."
"Milord-"
"What happens now? Have the conditions of Duellum Potestatis been fulfilled?"
"Milord. Look."

I turn from him and see that the crowd has grown into perhaps the entire population of the village.

They stand agape at the scarecrow-man standing over the unconscious form of their most powerful protector.

One speaks. "I know you." His leathery face is plastered with the quiet terror of recollection. "Revenant Mage."

The Revenant Mage 2013/01/28(Mon)23:21 No. 488528 ID: 5a4bc5
File 135944407031.png - (17.91KB , 800x600 , 57.png )

If the crowd were to whip into a frenzy, I would be prepared. I could trasus away from their tearing, vengeful hands and flee to my mastaba. If they were to run I would not begrudge their flight. I would be prepared.

I am not prepared for what happens, and it is terrible.

With the creaking of age and the mechanical constancy of a lifetime of practice, the old man sinks slowly to one knee.

The Revenant Mage 2013/01/28(Mon)23:22 No. 488529 ID: 5a4bc5
File 135944416236.png - (15.93KB , 800x600 , 58.png )

The dull fear thrums through the crowd.
Another kneels, and another. The muscled blacksmith takes a knee.

I am the only one left standing.

"CEASE. The woman needs care! Find a doctor, see if she can be saved! Spread the word: The Revenant Mage is no more!"

"I am [INSERT DECIDED-UPON NEW NAME HERE]! And I will conguer no one, I will kill no one, I will rule no one."

>>488529
Be careful, Creator. This could be a useful resource, even if it is temporary due to you not reinforcing their fear. Let's not be dramatic. We can use this.

I think we should simply direct them to tend to the Advocate Mage, and to speak with someone familiar with the local area. I would like to see a map, and perhaps some news of the outside world. Let them think you are someone to be feared, for now. It will get things done that need doing, and get questions answered that need answering. It might even allow you to stay in town for a while, and feed off more wisps.

"That is very kind of you, but I really would like SOMEONE to look after this woman. We can discuss your relative levels of subservience later"

Don't threaten to kill anyone, and don't promise not to. we need to ease everyone into the new status quo, even our fanatically loyal servant.

At the very least we should tell them to stop kneeling. A useless gesture that helps nobody.

We can decide what we do with this situation after we make sure whatsherface is alright. Though it is mildly tempting to make heroic declarations of good intent and then vanish, just for the look on her face when she wakes up and the villagers tell her what happened. Not worth it though; we wouldn't be there to see it.

>>488534
This.

>>488534
Seconding this

"If you would serve me, then care for the Advocate Mage. I do not need your submission, but I am no healer, and she may need help."

"Fear me no more."

Leave.

>>488541
Dramatic gesture for emphasis: Before the last part, remove your mask. They recognize you--hiding your face, and your nature, no longer serves any purpose. As you seem to have come her disguised in the past, perhaps it can be a symbol of your change.

Don't forget to finish eating wisps.

"Tend to the Advocate mage."

Finish eating as you leave.

no longer demand fear but you still demand respect.

You can't just say "don't fear me anymore" (after kicking some major ass) and expect them to do so. And the advocate mage will just hunt you down and fight you again (as can be expected). At the very least you need to explain (and honestly they deserve an explanation; non mages are still people).

Might I suggest:
"There are things that can warp and twist the mind, becoming an undead monstrosity is one of them. (although we arne't sure this was the cause specifically)
For generations I existed as insane undead monstrosity comitting horrible atrocities, and for this I apologize.
You see, long ago when I was still alive I fought against great evil, I had crafted magic that would restore my soul and mind to sanity should the worst come to pass.
It is regrettable that the magic was only able to restore me yesterday and not sooner.
I will _not_ allow myself to be destroyed, as there are a great many evils in the world to fight and wrongs I must atone for. But I promise you I will not be a blight on the living again. From now on, please refer to me as The Atoning Mage".

Ps. ask spidrift if he knows any magic to restore your form and/or to heal the worst of the advocate mage's injuries (don't want her to die or be horribly scared... but some bed rest would be good for her to cool down)

How's our juice doing? I kinda want to try out Trasus Zephra and Trasus Zephyr. Also try out Scutum.

>>488552
ugh the whole "call me [new name]" feels so hypocritical. We're still a Revenant and a Mage, so we're the Revenant Mage.
We don't need to go giving pompous speeches revealing the reasons behind why we do what we do to villagers who grew up during our reign of terror, while we can't remember a damn thing about it or the circumstances of our death and our words of power and probably lots of other things. We're not in a position to explain ourselves, and this kind of weak apology would just be insulting, and probably not even believed.

Oh perfect. Ask the old guy to fill you in on what's happened and what you were like.

>>488558
>"call me [new name]" feels so hypocritical
It is trite, it might be silly, it might be bad speechifying... but it isn't hypocracy (check a dictionary).
Ok, remove that part about "call me X"
>No pompous speeches
It isn't pompous, and we want the advocate mage to hear us out (even if secondhand), and they too deserve an explanation (non mages are people too)
>we can't remember
>lost words of power
Never even implied any of that in the speech.
>not in a position to explain ourselves
Best position we have been in yet, we shouldn't put it off forever.
>this kind of weak apology would just be insulting, and probably not even believed.
We would obviously have to prove it via actions. If you think its insulting then suggest an improved wording.

Actually, ask why they are bowing to you first.

Then ask the old man to give you a history lesson about what's been going on since before today.

>>488552
We kicked ass nonlethally, in self defense, under loudly declared duress. Nothing we say will make these people forgive or forget the past century, but what we have just done, and advising them not to fear, just might provide food for thought. These things take time.

Mentioning that what precipitated this was our at long last recovery of our mind isn't a bad idea, though. Conveys that this might be more than a (perhaps temporary change) of plans.

Look, can we hold off on making any Big Damn Hero speeches? We are largely ignorant to the current circumstances of the world and the needs of these people. We barely know anything about ourself. I for one do not feel like a hero. Not a villain either, just... empty. Let's take things slow.

The Revenant Mage 2013/01/29(Tue)23:07 No. 488742 ID: c0c515
File 135952963695.png - (46.72KB , 800x600 , 59.png )

"Up," I say. "If you would serve me tend to the Advocate Mage. You: Old man. Who are you?"
"The village elder, Lord."
"Do you remember me?"
"Yes, Lord."
"Come with me. The rest of you: I am not as I once was. Come, Spidrift."

"Now then," I murmur, as I stalk away from the crowd already beginning to flock around Astrea, the old man and Spidrift in tow, "tell me what exactly I was, old one."
"Milord has a foggy recollection and a surprisingly merciful temperament today!" Spidrift explains. "I suggest taking advantage of both."
"You're the butcher mage, then, aren't you." The old man walks with the aid of a splintering cane.
"I am."
"You killed my boy in the forest, six years back."
"I suppose I am sorry for that!"

"You were our lord, Lord," says the old man. "When I was twelve this became so, and I was unwanted for your legion on account of my jake leg. Then you began to diminish, and then fifty years later, you disappeared. And now you return. And that is all I know."

Everyone here tells essentially the same story, Creator. Nobody seems to know anything about before you became a revenant. I think we'd need to find a history book or someone more educated. First thing's first. Ask the old man about the lay of the land. There's gotta be a city somewhere with scholars in it.

Ask him if he at least knew your name. Did you only go by Revenant Mage?

Oh, hang on, Spidrift might know the surroundings too. I dunno how traveled he is.

Speaking of him, perhaps it might be a good idea to find out if he's a cannibal?

>>488742
"It appears that one of my extremely long plans for preserving my morality has just come to pass. I sincerely apologize for any evil I caused while my mind sunk into madness."

Let's at least try to get on the good side of these villagers. You never know when the support of the populous will come in handy.

Nothing of our living life then? Or our goals as an undead creature? I suppose he doesn't know a way to figure out that either, does he? We don't have any direction to go, we need something. Any direction that's even slightly relevant, we'll take what we can get at this point.

Shall we reveal to Spidrift and the Eldar that we're what's left of their Lord's soul chunks from the time he was alive inside the phylactery, which is what created the lucidity and sudden change of heart? We've been left in the dark for centeries, and given orders from our old living self to destroy Ansirous. We have no idea if the living self is what truly was the revenant Mage or our entire identity was warped by the process (or Ansirous) and we fell into this whole evil overlord schtick. Our secondary order was that if we were unable to destroy Ansirous was to die well. Which means we need to set up our redemption in the meantime. Those were the last orders of what was once the Revenant Mage at his peak, who may have been a magic blacksmith or craftsmen from the sound of it.

Wait, that gives me an idea, we need to search historical texts from around the time the Revenant Mage came to be for exceptional craftsmen of the age. One of talent that can create a phylactery, forge swords from Obsiden Flakes of a Devil's horn, staffs from the oak of a living Dryad tempered with Troll Flame.
Hopefully in our evil phase we didn't go around destroying important documents around the world or in the town. It might be our only lead.

The Revenant Mage 2013/01/29(Tue)23:51 No. 488748 ID: c0c515
File 135953226988.png - (359.15KB , 800x600 , 60.png )

"Elder, I must tell you that I am no longer the creature I was," I say. "The man I was before I became a Revenant had a plan for my redemption that has only now begun. I know not the extent of evil I did when I was gripped with madness, but now I seek redemption.

"Well. That and someone named Ansirous."

"I know not that name." The old man is either unconvinced or has a face as transparent as anthracite.
We have arrived at his cottage. It is unremarkable.

"Then can you point me to somewhere that does?" I ask, and he bows me inside.

He sits me down and pulls a small, tattered map from the only drawer in the building. "Here," he says, and places it in my lap.

"Spidrift, do you know these places?"
"Dorow Town, milord, I have been to! It is larger than this village, but no less odorous! Perhaps you will find answers there. If not in Dorow then most certainly in Parvyle Port! It is the largest settlement for weeks around! I have never been; it sounds exciting!"
"Are you a cannibal, Spidrift?"
"Not to my knowledge!"

Alright, I'm tempted to simply head to the Port... but it looks like a long journey. So Dorow is the obvious choice

First though we must talk to Advocate Mage. When she wakes we tell her about the price of vengeance and warn her against it consuming her. I have no desire to repeat the battle we just had and perhaps we can ward her away from our own path.

>>488748
Must really like his meat raw, then.

Oh. Ask the Elder if there are any bad men nearby that need killing. Bandits, that sort of thing. Oh! And a question for Spidrift- what happens to a person's soul when you kill someone by eating too much of their soul? Does its most inner core still pass on to the next existence? In that case, isn't that basically just a normal death?

Ask how likely either of those places are to kill you upon discovery rather than react like how this settlement has.

>>488750
No questions like that while the villagers are in earshot, I think. I expect that the Advocate Mage provides the magical services they need as well, though it wouldn't hurt to ask if there's anything we can do to help them.

Going to a revenant-hostile city, which I speculate they all are, is a risky proposition. However, having Spidrift go in our stead may not work well; obvious reasons aside, he won't ask the right questions or pursue the same followups, and we probably shouldn't be left alone just yet.

Now that we've fed, let's return home and get Spidrift to tell us all the Words of Power he knows, and peruse what is left of our books. Hopefully we'll come upon some magic for sustained illusion to hide our nature, or at least long-distance transport.

>>488749
Let's not talk to the Advocate Mage again until she's had more time to calm down. A few days at minimum. And even then, better done from a distance.

>>488748
I have a question for Spidrift, actually. How exactly are Words of Power discovered? Do some mages just sort of stumble across them in the process of casting? Obviously they can be learned by acquiring them from books, or other mages, but the way he spoke about them before implies that isn't the only way they are discovered.

The Revenant Mage 2013/01/30(Wed)16:22 No. 488929 ID: c0c515
File 135959176131.png - (10.29KB , 800x600 , 61.png )

"I suppose Dorow Town is the next step, then," I say. "Old man, how safe are the roads in this country? Are there perhaps bandits that need crushing?"
"Aye, right enough," says the old man. "There always are. You keep to the roads and travel in groups, they'll leave you alone. The rootax too."

"Rootax?"

"Big thing. Lots of teeth. Lives in the crag south of here.

"I see. We're returning to the mastaba now, Spidrift. Take the map. When the Advocate Mage awakens let me know, old man. I may be interested in speaking with her, when she's, ah, simmered."

The Revenant Mage 2013/01/30(Wed)16:22 No. 488930 ID: c0c515
File 135959177292.png - (6.28KB , 800x600 , 62.png )

"A most exhilarating outing, milord!" Spidrift says, happily. "Are you less hungry now?"

"Consider me perfectly sated. But what happens if I eat more than the, uh, wispy tendril things?"
"Well, milord, the outer core is the life of the person, and can only be consumed when they are dead or dying. The seed, now, if that is eaten they are Erased. No rebirth. No afterlife. You consume them entirely!"
"Jove above."
"Yes, milord! Most terrible."
I feel very tired all of a sudden.
"I think I need a good sit-down and a few more words of power under my belt, Spidrift."
"Excellent, milord. Should we return directly to the mastaba?"
"If I go to the town will they try to kill me?"
"Oh, yes, milord!"

"Then yes, to the mastaba. I must reclaim what scraps of power I can from what was lost first."

Hey um, question. Since we are speaking via a spell, and indeed successfully cast something else before we got this one working, what effect would simply NOT having Verbam Biblus active have on our casting ability? It has been implied that shouting words of power is more potent than trying to whisper them, but what is the difference when you don't have a functional tongue? It seems like it might be the attempt that counts.

>>488930
Yeah, to the mastaba. Try to find some books the paranoid evil version of us didn't burn?

I wonder if the Rootax has a soul

New Words of Power learned The Revenant Mage 2013/01/30(Wed)23:34 No. 489045 ID: c0c515
File 135961767018.png - (165.81KB , 800x600 , 63.png )

I return to the mastaba, my mind buzzing with the newness of conscience. The words of the villagers, of Astrea, and Spidrift, filter through my mind.

I was a monster, once.

I flex my fingers. My exposed bones grind against one another. I remain a monster now, I think.
Perhaps with your help I can change that.

Spidrift and I hunt my ruined study for books that survived my insane machinations and the wear and tear of time, as the natural light filtering through the holes in the Mastaba's roof begins to fade. Eventually we conduct our search by candle light.

I search until dark and find nothing of note. It is as if the tyrant in my past plots against my present self. I don't understand. Frustration clouds my newly flaring cortex.
I find only one word tonight, hastily scribbled in the margins of a nondescript brown combat manual with most of the pages torn out. "FERRUM" it reads, underlined twice and starred.

I am tired. Very tired. Do I still need sleep in this wretched state? It feels as if I do. My power wanes.
I can master two more spells this evening, I think, and then my arms may become too heavy to lift.

Zephyr and Ferrum for tonight. The lesser spells we can do tomorrow if we have time.

Scutum Ferrum, if I'm guessing correctly, that should be an iron shield spell or something.

Also, how about Fulga Fugo, we're building up fire XP anyway.

Scutum Ferrum and Trasus Zephyr.

Ferrum... might be metal?

Hang on. I just realized something important. If you've been using Verbam Biblus all the time in order to speak, Verbam and Biblus must be strengthened for you. Perhaps there's a way to take advantage of that? Verbam is voice/speech, Biblus is words/paper... I've got nothin'.

Fulga seems to be like a straight-thrust adjective. A concentrated line attack rather than an orb/pushback via Orbus or a wide stream via Torrentus.

Let's try Scutum Ferrum. We don't have a real two-word defensive spell yet, so.

The Revenant Mage 2013/01/31(Thu)01:43 No. 489074 ID: c0c515
File 135962543484.png - (509.37KB , 800x600 , 66.png )

Fulga Fuge launches a narrow, crackling beam of flame from my fingertips. It's less versatile than Orbus Fuge, and requires a little more accuracy, but it's more concentrated.

The Revenant Mage 2013/01/31(Thu)01:45 No. 489075 ID: c0c515
File 135962554908.png - (284.13KB , 800x600 , 64.png )

"Very good. All right: Scutum Ferrum"


"Scutum Ferrum?"

My hand tingles and little shoots of energy flit through my fingernails but other than that nothing happens.
I pace. I pick up my sword and lean on it.
Perhaps this one doesn't

The Revenant Mage 2013/01/31(Thu)01:47 No. 489077 ID: c0c515
File 135962565852.png - (356.40KB , 800x600 , 65.png )

wooooooOOAUGH

My blade bends like quicksilver and snaps into the shape of a large shield.

That will certainly defend against any physical attack sent my way, and it, ah, may just catch people quite off guard besides.

>>489077
Ferrum requires existing metal, it seems!

I bet Fulga Ferrum would extend the sword like a spear.

The spell is temporary, right? You didn't just turn your sword into a shield...thing?

Ask Spidrift if word order matters.

For example, will Fuge Orbus do anything different from Orbus Fuge?

The Revenant Mage 2013/01/31(Thu)23:17 No. 489243 ID: a00bdb
File 135970302748.png - (392.91KB , 800x600 , 67.png )

I am spent and weary, but even as the Butcher Mage leads me to my sleeping chambers I ask him questions.
"But does the word order matter, Spidrift, or stands the spell on its own?"
"Word order doesn't make a difference, milord! Not in combat magic. In advanced rituals opposing power words may require some sort of bridge or buffer between them to enusre they don't cancel one another out, but that is magic for another time, I think. You look quite tired, milord!"
"You are astute, Spidrift. I am surprised I still require sleep."
"Don't worry, milord! If any vengeful villagers arrive I will brutally and permanently destroy them."
"A little more, ah, discretion may be necessary, Spidrift." I shift uncomfortably. "But I thank you. I think that without your help I would have been greatly without direction."
"It is my pleasure, milord!"
"Does magic still enforce this affection in you toward me, Spidrift?"
"Oh, no, milord! Not any more. The enforcing enchantments wore off long ago. I simply love you!

"Here is the door, milord. I wish you a pleasant rest!"

"Thank you, Spidrift. Good night."

The Revenant Mage 2013/01/31(Thu)23:19 No. 489244 ID: a00bdb
File 135970315005.png - (226.61KB , 800x600 , 68.png )

I sink into my bedclothes, as musty and worn as they are.

Today was my rebirth, I reflect. It was not a good day, by any means, but it was infinitely better than any day in the century preceding it. Is that not something?

Perhaps when I fall asleep I will forget what I am.

The Revenant Mage 2013/01/31(Thu)23:20 No. 489245 ID: a00bdb
File 135970321747.png - (240.26KB , 800x600 , 69.png )

Revenant.

Perhaps not.

Revenant Mage. I summon you in the name of the LORD. Attend.

I suppose if theres a hell then there is a heaven. Let us see what this messenger wishes of us.

Hmm. Creator, Spidrift may turn against us when he finally realizes we are not the same person who brainwashed him. I am worried. Perhaps we should let him fight someone to observe his combat style, and be prepared for it when the time comes. But that is for another time.

Get up. Answer the call. If this is an angel of some sort, we may wish to ask how damned you are.

"What up, dawg?"

>>489245
So...who's this?

>>489245
"I was getting my beauty sleep."

>>489245
Sigh.
"I was hoping to fit a bit more redemption in before this meeting, but I suppose it wouldn't make much of a difference.
What would you ask of me?"

The Revenant Mage 2013/02/01(Fri)00:07 No. 489259 ID: a00bdb
File 135970602195.png - (20.71KB , 800x600 , 70.png )

"A most unusual intrusion." I blearily rise from my bed. "I was attempting beauty sleep."

Hah. Far be it for me to interrupt an endeavor so worthy and needsome, if misguided. But your LORD calls, Revenant. It would behoove you to heed Him.

"All right." I pull on my robe. "Who are you?"

I am The Metatron.

Move into the light, Revenant.

I step through the radiant doorway into a misty, blank space. It feels sequestered, liminal, and somehow unending.
I see nothing.
"Where are you, Metatron?"

Turn round, Revenant.

The Revenant Mage 2013/02/01(Fri)00:09 No. 489260 ID: a00bdb
File 135970615817.png - (43.92KB , 800x600 , 71.png )

The Metatron towers before me, standing in an angular, pulsating archway.

The LORD has seen you take back up the mantle of righteousness, Revenant. He rejoices that one of His most powerful children, cast once from the light, now seeks redemption. I cannot aid you directly, and I cannot reveal to you you all that you seek to know, but He has sent me to aid you in ways I can.

>How damned am I?

Bitterly, tearingly damned, Revenant. I will not deceive you: your soul is as pitch consigned to the deepest bowels of the consuming furnace. But the LORD knows you are striving to make amends. He is on your side, Revenant. As am I. We all are. Defeat Ansirous and the gates of His kingdom will open to you, For Ever.

You have within you the seeds for your own Redemption and you have begun to sew them. The LORD is proud of you. The question is no longer what I ask of you, Revenant. What more would you ask, of me?

>>489260
Who is Ansirous? Did he turn you into this, or did you do it to yourself? What is your name? I don't suppose the Metatron can help you in your magic studies...? Maybe some tips on what words are already empowered from prior usage?

A way to convince others that you are seeking redemption? So many would seek your death, Creator. That might be the most important aid he can give us- the belief of others.

Also, there is the question of Spidrift. Can we turn him on the path of good as well? Is there hope for his soul?

Okay, so, WHO THE FUCK IS ANSIROUS. I mean. Seriously. Knowing this would be a pretty important. Who is he, what does he do, where is he, why is he so bad?

For what I want?

My everything. Though remember her I do not. All I know is that I loved her desperately.

What I need?

Power. For this Ansirious has defeated me once when I was alive and powerful. Now I am neither.

What I deserve?

Nothing. For whatever reason I set upon this path... It is I who walked it. I who stained my hands black with blood of innocence. I who hated enough to dondmn myself to this mockery of life.

So in compromise I will take whatever you can help me with on my journey. May it not be me simply retracing my own blackened footsteps.

How much, exactly, was our soul damned before we turned into the Revenant? Also, have there been good undead before us? Surly not all of them go to hell, especially those made undead not of their choice? Also, maybe a clarity on how brainwashing affects the soul would help us with Spidrift. I pity the poor fool.

And can you please define behoove, and heed for that matter. I just don't understand the concept even in context with what you just said. "But your LORD calls, Revenant. It would behoove you to heed Him" Is heeding listening and behooving a good thing? Because behooving a horse sounds painful, so it makes the sentence a bit confusing.

>>489263
Oh. That's right. Her.

We should probably ask if she's in heaven, waiting for us, or if she has more reincarnations to go.

The Revenant Mage 2013/02/01(Fri)00:51 No. 489266 ID: a00bdb
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>Who is Ansirous?

He was a mage, once, like yourself, and like yourself he fell away from the light and became something less than human. But his fall was further, and deeper, and what he became more terrible.
Ansirous is a subtle and insidious influence on the realm of existence and its greatest threat. When first he revealed himself you defeated him.
This time was different.

>Did he turn me into this?

You have only yourself to blame for becoming what you are, Revenant. In your desperation to destroy Ansirous you willfully became the most terrible thing on Earth before him. It was your last resort.
Perhaps it will work.

>Is Spidrift damned?
Aye, Revenant. He is for the hellfire. But then, you are as well, and his soul is in less peril than yours. He will aid you, and perhaps you will save him.

>Have there been good undead before?
Never.

>I need power
I cannot give that to you, Revenant. I can guide you but I cannot lend you strength. To recover your soul your strength must come from yourself.

>The woman in the painting
She is long dead, Revenant. To reunite her with you even for a moment is against the natural order.
The Metatron leans in close. He has no face, but he sounds as if he is smiling.
So let's keep what I am about to do for you between us, yes?
He'll find out, of course. He always does. But He'll understand.

The Revenant Mage 2013/02/01(Fri)00:51 No. 489267 ID: a00bdb
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"I think I wear undeath a little better than you do, sir mage," comes a voice from behind me. I turn around.

The woman I love more than anything else in the world is leaning in a newly formed doorway.

I feel as if the wind has blown out of my lungs. I try to say something.

"ah"

"Eloquent as always, Ferrucio," she says, raising one fiery eyebrow. "Long time no see."

Everything about you is beautiful.

>>489267
Oh man she's right there and YOU HAVE NO DICK

This is a terrible shame. You don't even have lips. Oh well, at least you can talk. You have lots to catch up on, I expect. Also, we now know your name! Ferrucio. Kinda wish we knew hers. Saying you forgot her name isn't the best conversation starter.

Is she going to stay with us? If not, how long do you have?

>>489268
There we go.

Oh, look at me, not even trying to impress the pretty lady. An apology for your current state might be nice, so would the delay in joining her. Promise that you will rejoin her in time. This can be your big motivation. Damnation is nothing compared to the lack of her.

Should apologize for being so... diminished. Even memories....

We need her name and who she was to us.

>>489270
shush you, its a soulful reunion.
>>489281
Focus on her face and see what name comes to mind

Ferrucio 2013/02/01(Fri)23:30 No. 489506 ID: a00bdb
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Her name is Rebecca.

"You are beautiful, Rebecca."

"When you're not fighting the spawn of chaos you've got time to push your cuticles in a little." Rebecca walks over to me. Her bare feet make tiny eddies of noise on the formless ground. "You, on the other hand, look a little under the weather, milord."

"Will you stay with me?"
"No, Ferrucio. I can't. Not yet. I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For what I am. For not being up there with you. For so diminishing myself."
"I know you, honey." She puts a hand on my arm. Her skin is soft and warm. "I think I know you better than you know yourself right now. If there's one thing my Ferrucio has, even after he has lost his skin, his mind, and his eyeballs, it's a plan."
"I'll come back for you. Who were you, to me? My wife?"
She laughs. My heart jolts at the sound. "The great archmage of Giorazia, married? I'd say you'd sooner magic your own dick off, but, uh." She smirks. "Here we are. We weren't husband and wife, Ferrucio. We were more. Better. I miss you."
"I miss you. I remember nothing of us but that I miss you achingly."
"Well." She purses her lips. "Perhaps I can remind you a little."

She lowers her head and narrows her eyes, focusing for a moment. "Be as you were when I knew you. In the height of your glory, before the fall, when we were young and beautiful and powerful."

Rebecca makes me whole.

She beams. "That's more like it."

kiss her you fool

Hug
Hug and bump fists

>>489506
That's the face we remember. Looks like she magiced your dick back on, Ferrucio. Check to see that everything is there. How did she do that though? Is this a dream?

I think maybe she expects some action from you as well... you should make the most of your time together, Creator.

Ferrucio 2013/02/02(Sat)00:31 No. 489521 ID: a00bdb
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"This is all a dream, isn't it?"
Her fingers brush against my chest. "Does it feel like a dream, Ferrucio?"
"Let me check," I say, and I kiss her.

After a minute she pulls away. She takes a step back into the room behind her.
"Be with me tonight, Ferrucio," she says. "Forget what you're going to wake up to. Hold me."
"Until the stars above me flicker and die."
"Well." She chuckles. "Let's hope you prevent that."
Before I can answer she kisses me again. Her chest pushes up against mine.
She is warm and her embrace is almost enough to keep me from feeling that her heart is not beating, and mine is not beating against hers.

This is enough.

End of Part 1 The Revenant Mage 2013/02/02(Sat)00:33 No. 489523 ID: a00bdb
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But she is dead, and the dawn will come, and I will decay.

>>489523
Well, we may have been second worst person ever, but at least we have a chance!