"Hmm... I don't believe I'm familiar with that name, perhaps for the reason you've just mentioned. If he has any relation to an actual shade, that might be why. Shade's are indistinguishable beings, impossible to tell from one another. There's a certainly a possibility that, with all the talented mage's among their order, he was simply a shade summoned to assist them. Either way, I'm certainly glad to have been of assistance."
"A tall tail if I've ever heard one!" Exclaims Clyde
"Hm, perhaps. Though he did move with his own agency. Ah well, it is but a trifling detail. All I can say is thank you for all the advice you have given me so far good sir." Graeme would reply.
"Ah, well, my actual name is quite unintelligible for outsiders, so I've taken to calling myself Cedric. You may do that same, friend."
"Well then, I thank you Cedric for your aid,"
"The pleasure's all mine, just make sure you watch yourself. Don't want to your death on my conscious." The mage chuckles
"Dying isn't part of my plan. At least, not until I've repayed all twelve of them,"
"I bet it was Gabriel. Bastard's always appearing to people in dreams an whatnot. Pretty creepy, if you ask me." Replies Clyde
"I doubt its part of anyone's plan." Cedric jests "But yes, I imagine you'll be fine. Just be on your guard, and don't go swinging into any battles you can't win."
"That I will. I shall see you again soon," Graeme responded.
You spend the night staring up at the ceiling, feeling the boat rock beneath you, and listening to the mercenaries as they make merry until they all finally head off to sleep. Afterwards, the only sounds are that of the waves. The inability to sleep is perhaps one of the less enjoyable aspects of undeath, but you make it through regardless. Late into the next day, someone knocks on your door, and you hear the familiar voice of the ship's captain telling you that the island is in sight.
The mage nods his head, gives you a quick smile, and then leaves to attend to the preparation of the trinket. Your time may now be spend in thought and observation, as you come ever closer to the damned city. It truly is a wonder that such an event could have happened, that a people on top of the world could have practiced such heinous rituals that the gods themselves stepped in to topple them over. Or, perhaps it was because they were on top of the world that such rituals brought on the wrath of the gods. But eh, who am I, a disembodied voice, to sit and try to explain the thought process of gods.
"By the gods..." Graeme muttered to himself at the siight of the destroyed walls. To him, it looked less like the gods had punished these people, and more like an army had attacked. From where he stood, the walls seemed remarkably well made, offering up no natural reason for the damage to his wandering eye.
As you observe and ponder, you can hear Cedric call everyone together so that he may use the trinket.
Graeme moved over to the mage, hand still gripped tightly on the gladius.
Your strike connects, and damn near sends the creatures arm flying from its socket. The shambling mess of flesh and decay now sits defenseless before you.
Heading above deck, you can see the rest of the mercenaries gathering at the edge of the bow to look. You join them to look out over the dark, murky waters and view the island for yourself. Doing so proves difficult, however, as the skies are unnaturally dark. Even for the dull light of morning this would be odd, and it's nearly afternoon.
Counting every head to make sure all are present and accounted for, Cedric holds up the trinket, a scepter, and begins to explain how everything will work.
Graeme stayed silent, for while he had questions, they were not important when considering the coming task.
You bring you club down over the creatures head with tremendous force, squishing it like a grape. It collapses to the ground, a dead husk now that you've clobbered the magic from the beasts body.
