1.20 Rest in Peace

I had two Embedded Spells that were highly effective against Undead, [Sunbeam] which cost 15 Mana a second, and [Sunblaze] that cost me 20 Mana a second. I only had a Mana Pool of 37, so using either of those Spells was problematic. The extra four points I had gained since waking up in the Glade were the result of Class Levels I had earned.

I saw the shambling skeletons, dressed in rotted rags of funeral clothing, stumble forward into the light of my Staff. The yellow bones were pitted and cracked, the vile green glow of their eyes the only sign of necromancy. [Examination] showed me five Minor Skeletons, all between Levels 3-7, suffering from a |Slow| Affliction caused by the Solar Property of my Staff’s [Glow]. The weakest and slowest of all Undead, Minor Skeletons did not have the Dexterity to use weapons, but their bony fists were sufficient to deal with the likes of me.

My Triskele belt buckle glowed with a silver-blue light, and I felt its protective nature activated. I was not a full Cleric with the power to {Turn Undead}, but I did have a Holy Amulet of Protection holding my belt up, granting me both added defence and armour from Evil Attacks.

Pointing my Staff at the highest Level Undead, I recited the ‘In Brightest Day…’ chant for [Cleansing Light]. Although not a combat Spell, I knew from personal experience that it was abrasive enough to inflict some damage. More importantly, it was a Holy Radiant Spell, so Undead would be doubly penalised. It was also a continuous Spell with a duration of a full minute. Damage over time, or DOT, effects are always more efficient use of Mana. By channeling it through the Starcrystal I would add the Bluestar and Solar Properties.

A silver-white ring of light surrounded by a nimbus of pale blue radiance flew from my Staff to the least decayed Skeleton. Wisps of silver-blue fire appeared as the bright light bathed the perambulating bones for the full minute of the Spell’s duration. At about the 50 second mark the bones collapsed, and burst into full flames. Over the next ten minutes the remains were reduced to a pale grey fine ash by the |Burning| Affliction, a secondary DOT effect. Not bad for an investment of ten Mana.

The other necromantic monsters did not just stay still during this time. Although |Slowed| the stumbling creatures fled from their burning companion, retreating from the light. One actually approached me, and I swung my staff like a bat in the way my father taught me, imagining it traveling through the skull it impacted. Skeletal creatures were often resistant to sharp trauma, but the Crystal Globe smashed the skull into pieces. The remaining bones just collapsed, the animating magic disrupted.

Another five Minor Skeletons stumbled into the light, attracted by the disturbance. I responded with a single second of [Sunblaze]. I was partially blinded myself, three of the Skeletons just shattered into fragments, the other five were charred but still standing. The glow in their eye sockets was dimmed, flickering like a candle flame in a brisk wind. Even the walls seemed affected, bleached to a paler shade of gray.

I was almost out of Mana, so I tried a different tactic, hoping the sacred nature of [Pray] would be effective. I didn’t have any prepared Prayers, but I thought Psalms 23:4 would help:

“Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will fear no Evil: for Thou art with me; thy Rod and thy Staff comfort me.”

The purple gold Triskele hanging from a rawhide cord about my neck glowed, its radiance spreading to my Staff, the silver-white light gaining highlights of blue, gold, and purple.

“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.”

I know, I know, I was reciting the verses out of order.

“Thou preparest a table before me in the Presence of mine Enemies: thou Anointest my head with Oil; my Cup runneth over.”

A pulse of light knocked the remaining Skeletons prone. I recited the Psalm again, this time starting for the top. A second burst of light disrupted two more of the boney servants. I would have gone for a third recitation, but I was almost out of Stamina. The last three I just bashed the heads in.

While I knew I needed to leave and reseal the Gate, Bone Dust was a common reagent dropped by Undead in the game. I licked my finger, using the wet surface to pick up the smallest amount of ash from the first destroyed enemy. [Taster] reduces the Cost of using [Examine] and I didn’t have much Mana to spare. Putting my finger in my mouth I was able to Identify the ash as Purified Bone Dust, plus I learned that I could gain Constitution Experience by consuming it thanks to [Devour].

I admit I was tempted. Earning Experience for Attributes higher than ten was hard. Somehow I didn’t think eating the Undead would satisfy my Alignment Vow. Avoiding negative experience was far more important at that precise moment.

“Dirt to Dirt, Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust. From Dust thou wast formed, unto Dust shalt thou be returned. Rest in Peace.”

It only cost me a single Stamina, and the Bone Dust sublimated into vapor and disappeared. I didn’t have the nine more points needed to address the other nine piles. I tried a slightly different tack. Raising by Staff high in the air:

“Dirt to Dirt, Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust. From Dust you were formed, unto Dust shall you be returned. May Providence grant you Rest and Peace, all who hear my voice.”

Only three Stamina to convert the Prayer to an Area Effect, as a gentle wave of light caused the bones to crumble into dust and disappear. Interesting side note thee and thou are singular, where ye and you are plural. One of my Renfaire pet peeves is all the people using the wrong pronoun trying to sound Elizebethian.

I would have checked my status then, but didn’t have the strength.

I shut the doors to the Gate, hoping the ‘click’ when they shut meant they locked, and went back upstairs. I had not even gotten past the entryway of the Undead Lair, and was thoroughly spent. If not for my Staff the Skeletons would have easily torn me to shreds. My success was purely due to my equipment.

After a ten minute rest I checked my more urgent Notifications.

Congratulations!

You have acquired new Skill [Maceplay]...Implementing Bonuses...Level 1

You have acquired +2 Skill Levels for [Pray].

You have learned “Prayer of the Valley of the Shadow of Death” or {SoD}. This prayer cancels the effects of Evil, Haunted, or Wicked Ground for [Pray] minutes with a range of LOS/Level Yards.

You have learned “Prayer of Resting in Peace” or {RIP}. This prayer releases damned souls fettered to their remains and speeds non-damned souls to their appropriate afterlife. This prayer will restore Subjects Karmic Harmony Depletion up to [Pray] Level.

Attention! You have acquired Scholar subclass Qualifications for:

Invocationeer

Lector/Scriptorian

Registrar

Onomancer

Knock a few decayed corpses on the head and just look at all the neat toys.