Soul Shield
Cost: N/A
Learnable: N/A
Effects: N/A
Damage: N/A
Duration: N/A
History:
Barachus slept safely inside his
personal cocoon. Suddenly the trembling brought him to consciousness and he
soon fell to the ground. Free to walk around for the first time in ages, he
began to seek out the cause for disturbance and discovered Valerius. Valerius
had been testing an ancient art in hopes to bring it back to life. This art so
powerful, it had shaken the walls on Evernight Plateau so greatly that an
ancient sleeping Overscanner was awakened.
Now understanding more of how he came to
be back in the City of Underlight, Barachus began to wander the City. He soon
found his way to Threshold Pits where he ran into an old acquaintance. Met by
surprise and shock by the Ancient member of the Entropy Coalition the
Overscanner quickly brought all in the room up to speed on how he had
survived. It was at this time that
'Wyrmgrim, of the Coalition, offered the
assistance of his Sacred Band. Barachus gladly accepted any and all help he
could receive for he knew the City was in danger of having the same catastrophe
occur that made him form his own Cocoon and save his soul.
The Sacred Band gathered with Barachus
at a meeting in the Unknown Library and learned more in detail of the dreaded
flux of chaos that had destroyed the City during the Great Loss. They learned
more of how Barachus formed his Cocoon and how he desired to take this
knowledge and create a new art that could save every dreamer from the Chaos
that is to come.
The members of the Sacred Band were a
mere five at the beginning, guardDog, Jolly, Folko, Purple Lace, and Intrigue.
A full house of capabilities, three Dreamseers and two Gatekeepers or three
ladies and two gentlemen, no matter how you sliced it. On this fated night in
the Unknown, however, Chaos prevailed and removed the two gents from the
equation, leaving the ladies to work and listen to the ancient Overscanner.
Following the meeting the Band gathered
again. Studies were underway. Debates occurred and finally a theory arouse.
Their quest to assist Barachus and have a full report back to the Pinnacle,
'Wyrmgrim, on the sixth day was done.
Excitement filled the Master Hall of
Threshold Pits as the Sacred Band and other dreamers gathered. All we awaiting
the arrival of 'Wyrmgrim and Barachus. 'Wyrmgrim showed as scheduled to lead
his Band. It was soon decided with the urgency of creating the new art that
the testing would begin, with or without Barachus. Chaos had prevailed once
again and had held the Overscanner at bay.
Caring for all of his Band equally,
Wyrmgrim decided each should draw lots to see who would stand the trial of the
formation of the new art around them. Every member of the Sacred Band drew
lots. More had been added beyond the original five and they drew as well.
Destiny pointed to Jolly, a simple Gatekeeper who would give her soul easily
to save others. But, had any other of the Sacred Band won the lot, she knows
they too would easily give themselves to save others. Thus being the special
bond that holds the Sacred Band together. They are not one alone but one in
spirit.
Every one in the Master Hall took their
cue from 'Wyrmgrim when he began his pulling of lucidity and aiming it towards
the Gatekeeper. Jolly was doused with many layers of protective arts. Her pack
full of good quality shields and dream soul elemens. The fire grew very hot as
it encased her form. An unexpected scream escaped her lips then was quickly
covered by embarrassment. The next wave of searing pain caused her to bite
through her lip to try to save herself from screaming, but the pain so great
it escaped into the hall.
Havok erupted quickly. The walls began
to shake and the experiment was invaded by two dark mares, Tzayak and
Hatch'kor. All the dreamers were attacked. Many left a mere soul sphere trying
to warn the others to watch their backs. guardDog took down Hatch'kor and had
Tzayak to near dissolution. Chak fire was prevalent. 'Wyrmgrim held his
concentration and continued to direct his powers of lucidity upon the
Gatekeeper, but suddenly was collapsed. Jolly's sensation of pain subsided as
the adrenaline overcame her and she was instinctly using her skill in
switching to fresh shields and healing herself with dream soul elemens the
entire time of the Dark Mare attack and the lucidity guided by 'Wyrmgrim as
well as the added danger of friendly fire. She found herself assisting
guardDog in defeating Tzayak. The Dark Mares defeated and many of the dreamers
now restored, 'Wyrmgrim checked the progress of the interrupted experiment.
The creation of Soul Shield had failed. Time to conduct normal business with
dignity was the new order.
This experiment over but not forgotten
brought the Sacred Band together on the next Sixth Day. All were pleasantly
surprised by the entrance of Barachus into the Master Hall. Time to try again.
Quietly, Barachus quizzed Jolly on how 'Wyrmgrim had proceeded the last
attempt. He then made some changes in the formulation of Soul Shield and told
'Wyrmgrim it was time to try again.
Standing ready for the worst, the
Dreamers concentrated on Barachus and 'Wrymgrim. Doing all they could to
assist as well as protect. The last remaining member of the Entropy Coalition
felt the sting of Chaos approaching and raised his ring hand, fist clenched,
in a gesture of defiance. Then he turned to the Barachus and said, "Now,
Overscanner...we will see...how durable ...you are..."
Soon 'Wyrmgrim's form glimmered red from
head to foot. From the sores and scars on his old face sprouted springshoots
of fire, spreading rapidly until he became a seemingly column of fire. The
intense concentration this feat took on 'Wyrmgrim was evident for he quickly
rasped, "Whatever you will do..do it soon." Barachus replied,
"If I fail...it is probably not possible..."
The Overscanner closed his eyes to
increase his concentration. 'Wyrmgrim opened his mouth and sent a torrent of
energy springs forth to engulf Barachus from head to foot. Guided by his
determination Barachus created a mist of pinkish Dreamsoul springs around
himself mixing it with the fire, stopping it from touching him. Then a
peculiar stench filled the air. It's pungent reek of old corruption tore at
the eyes and throats of all with vile vigor. 'Wyrmgrim increased his
concentration and his fires burned hotter yet, it's violence threatening to
undo the stones about him.
Barachus trembled and contorted his face
as the strain was evident while he forced more power into the growing shell.
Tendrils of darkness seeped from the stone ceiling, twisting and writhing,
seeming almost to coalesce into horned horrors before they changed again. Then
they sought out the Overscanner. A low rumble was heard and the ground began
to lightly shake, the force increasing as the sound grew louder. Barachus
wiped his brow reflexively and tried his best to hold his concentration and
keep his balance at the same time. The colors of the wall bled and ran
together as the sickening sense of vertigo surrounded all present. One could
notice that around Barachus a golden shell fought the attack. The stone paving
bucked and withered, accompanied by an ear splitting cacophony of tortured
rock. The great 'Wyrmgrim was pulled from the City. Barachus swayed as the
mist of the shield seemed to wax and wane.
The walls of the Master Hall split open.
jolly noticed the seam go from solid to abyss as Talesskar entered and began
to fire upon Barachus, giving him dose after dose of pure chaos. guardDog was
on Talesskar in the blinking of an eye. Talasskar tried to break the rooms
concentration on Barachus by deafening all and firing upon them as well.
guardDog hunted Talesskar from the Master Hall while the other Gatekeepers,
jolly and Lord Omnipotus ran outside to secure the Master Hall with Wards.
Hoping to keep the disruption to a minimum so Barachus could complete his
work.
Back inside the Master Hall all are once
again able to concentrate on the Overscanner. Chaos eases. guardDog has
defeated Talasskar. 'Wyrmgrim is loosed from chaos and reenters the Master
Hall himself. The chaos surged with the collapse of the Dark Mare while the
shield flared with it but then the Overscanner crumpled to the floor. Barachus
laid unmoving. Intrigue knelt beside him while Meylia assisted by cradling his
head.
'Wyrmgrim studied the Overscanner coolly
while many in the crowd wondered if he was still alive.
'Wyrmgrim notices the slow unsteady rise
of Barachus' chest and says, "He should be a smear on the floor..."
Just then Barachus coughed softly and his eyelids began to flutter. Intrigue
assures all that the Overscanner will be fine. guardDog questioned 'Wyrmgrim
why he believed Barachus should be a smear on the floor. And 'Wrymgrim replies
about the strong force that struck the Master Hall.
With that mentioned, the room began to
regain its old form as the Chaos receeded. The floor began to settle back and
the colors redefining themselves. Barachus then opened his eyes. Intrigue's
warmth had fused to Barachus and aided him to consciousness. 'Wyrmgrim states
that he believes the Soul Shield must have been formed. Slowly, in response,
Barachus coughed and sat up. He then closed his eyes and began to evoke.
Barachus then told all present, "Yes, I think it is done."
Smiles crossed the faces of those
present. Fear lifted from many hearts. Concern and worry creases left many
brows. But suddenly, jolly notices a rip yet left in the wall near the North
Meeting Room and says it aloud. 'Wyrmgrim's ring hand flickered with ruby
fire...the seam healed itself.
A few days later Intrigue and Purple
Lace were attending the meeting of the FreeSpirits and were pleasantly
surprised by the arrival of Barachus. Without warning, each had the SoulShield
evoked upon them. Shock was quickly overcome by curiosity as the two Seer's
quickly began extensive experimentation with the effects of the Art.
Adjourning to the bottom of the bloody Lake of Tears, the ladies evoked all of
their arts upon themselves and each other. Both were quite astonished to find
that the Art of Mind Blank was rendered useless while wearing the SoulShield.
Using Mind Blank first could avert this, then having the SoulShield layered
afterwards.
After some modifications by Barachus,
this snag had been corrected and proven to work during later testing in the
Chasm.
~ The Sacred Band: guardDog, Jolly,
Folko, Intrigue, and Purple Lace.
