The Lich King

[21:33] The Docro walks over with Ambrose, approaching the Docro Manor which was surprisingly in better quality than Achyon itself!

"I don't know if you've met properly but Councilman Nidaz meet Prince Ambrose. Prince Ambrose, Councilman Nidaz," a quick exchange of introductions before leaving the two of them to it.
(Nikolai pyr Docro)
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[21:35] Upon arrival, Ambrose turns his gaze towards Nidaz, if only to meet him with a nod.

"I'm fairly certain we've met before, but yes. Pleasure to meet you."

It was difficult not to know Nidaz, if one interacts with Achyon at all. As much as it would be difficult not to know Ambrose... if one interacts with Asphodel at all.

To not know the Prince at that point is to be ignorant.

"I heard that you're interested in one of my recent captures on one of the adventures?"
(Ambrose Roche)
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[21:39] Having just emerged from the depths of the Manor, from a meeting - one more person to talk had arrived! This one? Was one which could contribute to the necromancer's research.

As soon as Nik had arrived with the figure, the man would raise his beret - in greeting to them, as expected.

"Just brief dialogues probably, plus glimpses during fighting in the war." His speech would quickly echo in response, "Still let's do it officially.. Nice to meet you, Ambrose.

And yes, from what Nik told me, you did find something about a.. Lich king. Sooo.. I would like to hear more about this.

So this way, let's go inside to have this conversation." He would say, gesturing for the vampire to follow him.
(Nidaz)
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[21:39] Ambrose Roche says, "Of course."
[21:39] Nikolai pyr Docro says, "Wonderful. Enjoy yourselves."
[21:40] Nidaz says, "Take a sit.."
[21:40] Nidaz asks, "Do you want some tea?"
[21:47] Approaching closer, Ambrose eventually takes a seat.

The offer of the tea is met with a nod, for it would most definitely be refreshing and even welcomed. Though, as much as Nidaz may have his hopes rather high about this Lich..

He ought to warn him in a bit.

"Thank you. The tea would be nice."

Assuming one is brought to him, he carries on with the conversation regarding this matter.

"I do not know what to do about this Lich, to be exact."

"I can steal parts of people away, or even them whole... but whole consumption naturally results in death." He speaks of the Collective, of course.

The mass of dark matter that was ever growing- already viewed as a great threat, by some.

That might get out of control one day, but Ambrose still keeps it tamed.

"That Lich, who happened to be an Oscuri-"

"He had hordes of Nethradin serving him, and various creatures, as well as massive hordes of undead. He could open several complex rifts all around to summon immense armies." It was the power unspoken.

"I peered into his mind briefly - centuries of memories flashing before my eyes, the sights of Valmasia, of Divine War and even presence of Azrael himself. But.."

"As much as I tried to make sense out of it? My mind felt overwhelmed. It was painful, and I think in attempt to preserve itself, it stopped trying to grasp the memories of the Lich."

"I have not tried ever since."

It implies that the consumed Lich is still there- perhaps even resisting the reach of Ambrose, but as it stands, he simply could not manage to unlock more memories and knowledge.

For now, it was out of reach.

"I suppose I'm wondering how I could try and tap into his mind."
(Ambrose Roche)

[22:00] To the speech and nod of Ambrose's head, an action was taken by Nidaz's undead servants, who approached and handed the cup of drink to the vampire..

As expected, tea for him.

While this was being done, from inside his overcoat a notepad and pen were taken out - so that the old man's attention was fully turned to the figure as he explained.

Things necessary to note everything to his research.

Everything that was said was noted, starting with such a lich's capabilities, the powers he achieved, and the huge armies he commanded of diverse creatures such as nethradin and the undead.

Quite a amazing feat..

And then the mention of the Divine War was heard, visions of Valmasia and even the presence of Azrael himself. Figure that was known as death to many, but that Nidaz knew as the being who was the father of Achyls, a Primordial.

Ultimately the vampire's attempts to gain more knowledge seemed to fail, a clear impediment on the part of the entity he was trying to access - and that's what he apparently looked to for help.

"You know, we necromancers have an extremely delicate, but at the same time powerful, bond - with our creations.

Yes, yes..

Something that goes beyond a simple servant and master, as our mana flows into the bodies of the creatures we raise at our command - and these are interconnect with us." A first line began to be said as the necromancer pondered all the information he had had been provided, "If you then want to connect with him, access his mind again... I think one of the easiest ways is to find his creations.

Truly..

Or something that is linked to such a being! And once you do? I can help you further, and I can also help you find such a thing, as this could be a great step in my research." He would add a few more words before falling back into silence.

To see what else would be said by the vampire.
(Nidaz)


[22:05] Such bond could be explored, naturally.

But he isn't entirely sure whether that's even possible anymore- while Nidaz explains of the delicate bond that the Necromancers had to their creations, there is eventually a small sigh.

"I don't think that there are any creatures left."

"I captured some Nethradin, an Oni, and some more, but none of them were undead. They were servants, true, but not exactly undead minions that he created."

To return to that place? It would also be hopeless. That expedition happened a few years back.. and by now, the traces of it all were no doubt erased, or perhaps simply no longer existing.

The creatures that once were there now a mass of rot and bones, at best.

"Do you think there's any alternative?"

But while he thinks it over, a quiet hum passes. He'd have to recall every single creature that he's captured before.. if only then to remark.

"Unless-"

A pause lingers, with a single digit tapping against his chin.

"-- there was this skull. A humorous thing, but clearly possessed a living essence inside."

"As if there was a soul transferred inside of it." He pauses, soon to add more.

"It looked amusing to me, so I decided to take it along with myself."

"Do you think that one harbors such connection?"
(Ambrose Roche)
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[22:06] Ambrose Roche says, "--That skull was also talking."
[22:06] Ambrose Roche says, "And had quite a character to it."
[22:13] "The probability is always there, even in the midst of the most destructive catastrophes - undead creatures survive..

We could always try to find one." It was a simple comment, but given the man's question he would consider it.

Was there any alternative? Honestly, the only form of connection with other beings that the Councilman himself had was with entities from the Void. But in order to achieve this, even he had to use an object himself!

A powerful artifact, a statuette of these beings..

"Not that I kn--" He would start talking, then stop when Ambrose thought of something! And so he listened.

A skull that had a soul in? Fascinating! So far all he's found related to souled undead were Mire's skeletons, but these didn't hold masters.. Were failed creations..

But a skull, just that - nothing more? It was probably the offspring of someone's creation, "Maybe.. Mm, I would have to properly analyze such a being before saying anything - where if the master of such a creature still lives, there's a chance the connection exists.

Truly..

Yes, yes!" He would start theorizing, thinking about all of this as he spoke to the Prince.

And after a few sentences, his talking became inaudible mumbles - which didn't make much sense as the figure pondered it all more than anything else..
(Nidaz)
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[22:17] It's almost funny.

How the decision of Ambrose to take that skull- or rather, the person inside with him- could lead him to the discovery of many more memories that the Lich harboured. Had he simply decided to abandon it, like the rest might've suggested..

Then this wouldn't be possible.

"Hm.."

But that doesn't mean it's all solved yet. In fact, they're just beginning to get onto the trail of all things.

"Assuming that this talking skull was actually tied to its master-"

"How do we exactly go about accessing the memories of the Lich?" He pauses, if only to remark.

"I can summon the shadow from the Collective, the Lich himself - but the one time I tried to access his mind, it was a painful experience with vague memories all around."

Much like how he described it earlier.

"Is there something to be done to subdue him? Or reverse that connection?"

"Or something else?"
(Ambrose Roche)
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[22:26] So more questions would come as to how they could do this, something to be expected and understandable - but why exactly was Ambrose seeking such a connection? It was hard to tell.

Regardless, as long as it helped with Nidaz's own research, that was what mattered - nothing but that.

"First of all what I discovered through necromancy is that in order to keep a soul trapped in a body - we need to fill such body circuits with our mana, trapping the soul inside after such process is done, in a way that it will be dependent on our mana.

And not be like those failed creations that wander around the Mire.

So if this skull was created that way, the Lich's energy itself would remain there to keep it under his control. So through his mana we can access the bond and connect it to him, maybe even becoming like a undead.

Making his mana flow into your body, your brain mainly." He would start talking and explaining, also providing an answer.. Lots of information.

But that was just the beginning, as they needed to make such a being come under their control - and then have full access to its mind, as wanted.

"Usually created creatures are only under the control of a necromancer, as the necromancer has a lot of his own mana in their bodies - controlling them.

Making them be under his control.

If we then want to subjugate a being of that degree of power, we would need to develop something to imprison him temporarily. A kind of ritual or even a device that would keep him under control.

Whether permanently or temporarily.

Something that would link him to you, through a third party! Yes Yes..

Do you understand what I say? Probably, yes.." He would add even more thoughts that looked more like suicidal plans!

But maybe it would work? There would only be one way to find out by trying.
(Nidaz)
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[22:46] Such plan..

Naturally makes Ambrose wary. If anything, the fact that they could potentially allow the mana of the Lich around his brain in such manner does not sound at all promising.

At least, not as much as Nidaz makes it out to be.

"Hrm.."

The Prince was uncertain. While the necromancer explains, he remains somewhat cautious of the idea- soon enough to remark.

"I believe the Lich is still... there, not entirely lost, even if he was consumed by the Collective." Perhaps due to the fact that the phylactery might be somewhere out there.

Which is likely the case why his consciousness has not dissolved entirely.

"Wouldn't allowing his mana inside my brain.."

"Allow him to possess me?"

In a sense, this could be actually the means of accessing the memories - to share the mind of one, to share the processes of the brain, but at the same time..

It could very well kill Ambrose.

"--I'm not sure about this."

"Do you have any means of precaution? I'd rather not end up as a meat puppet to the Lich."

Which seems like it's very much possible.
(Ambrose Roche)
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[22:53] "Well, basically there is the possibility that such being can do it, yes..

After all! If I can do that with my current abilities, imagine a being like him? It wouldn't be a big deal!

Yes, nothing." He commented on it as if it were nothing, well... For him it wouldn't be.

Who would have to endure such procedure would be the prince, not him.. So, not a big deal!

"Well there are other ways clearly, utilizing things that have been attached to him during his time in this world, such as relics of power.

Objects that belonged to such creature.

Or even, we can look for figures who knew him.. Other immortal beings." More words, more ideas that surfaced in his mind of what they could do, "That or find what's left this Lich." He would readily add.

"Annnnd.. I can try to develop something, yes. Something that would give you the necessary power to hold yourself steady while accessing the memories, but at the same time avoiding being possessed.

Wait..

Well, losing control of the body is more appropriate in this case.

But for that I would need an Artificer, to plan and all that." After all, he wasn't an Artificer, even though he had some knowledge about such craft, he never went into it too deeply.
(Nidaz)
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[22:59] "..."

The way how Nidaz spoke of it so nonchalantly was rather worrisome, but at the same time, it gave him an assumption that he knew all too well what this could be.

Both re-assuring..
and worrying at the same time.

"I see."

But that does not mean that the Prince would just agree for it right off the bat. Quite on the contrary, there are preparations to be made until this could be afforded to be done.

"Well-"

"I'm an artificer myself, so we could work on that perhaps - and I figure that with the memories of the Lich accessed, we could eventually find various relics about, or.. perhaps even find other beings, but hm.."

"Right now? I'm concerned to not have my mind stolen away from me."

Especially if he were to try and pry into such memories. Nonetheless..

"I would assume this will require time for you to prepare, no?"

"There are other works I'm doing as well - but I doubt you can just do it instantly."
(Ambrose Roche)
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[23:05] "Yes, yes.. Several things on the mind these days - planning and construction.

Finishing Mort Donjon being one of the main goals right now.

Also, I need to finish some other projects as well, such as my research on necromancy itself. It will soon be completed." He would readily respond to the Vampire's question.

And as much as Nidaz sought to proceed on this path as soon as possible, he knew that preparations would be needed. More ideas, more power - and especially research.

This could be extremely productive or both could unleash something on Esshar never seen before...

At least yet.

"Now with the new situation in the city, I think my presence in your village may be more common - so we can visit each other more often.

Organize this more properly.

A partnership that will only bring good fruits." A few more words were uttered in a firm tone.

There was no denying in that, as if they manage to achieve such goals? Well, only good things could come of that - at least in the necromancer's already degraded mind.
(Nidaz)
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[23:10] It's only natural that Nidaz would end up being in Asphodel more often.

Given such circumstances, he would probably do the same in his shoes, so to that end only an understanding nod is given- he didn't seem to mind it either, given that it would mean cooperation between the two is going to be far more fruitful, though..

"Of course."

"You can make your way to Asphodel for that purpose, but mm.. yes. I imagine you have a lot of work too."

As does Ambrose. Even if he had all the time in the world, given his immortality, he would rather not stall it for far too long - just because he's ageless did not mean that he was invincible.

On the contrary, there are many that would want to see him dead.

"It's settled, then."

"We'll see to it that we'll discover whatever other secrets that this Lich harbors… and probably more than that." Or at least, so he hopes.

"I'll be seeing you in Asphodel then, in that case?"
(Ambrose Roche)
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[23:14] Time was lacking for the old man, who as quickly as possible sought to complete his own research to reach a new state of life, a true and lasting immortality.

To escape the hands of a Primordial.

"Yes, we'll see there as soon as possible! If.. Anything happens, it's always possible to send letters to each other." He commented by waving his hand in the air a few times, "But before you go.. One last thing." He would raise his hand, signaling to the vampire.

A notepad was pulled from his pocket yet again, to make more notes "Can you tell me more about what you know of these.. Beings, such Lichs? To further contribute to my research.

Any piece of information, will help." A simple request, one that the vampire would likely fulfill.

Possibly.
(Nidaz)
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[23:20] "Of course."

"Communication is key in such matters."

But what exactly did he know about Lichdom? Perhaps only the sheer basics.. given the fact that he did, in fact, consume the Lich through the Collective.

Beyond the basics, however? He knew little.

"I only know that they transfer their souls to phylactery so that they would keep living, even if their physical host dies."

"How exactly one does that, or what are the flaws or merits of such.. I'm not exactly aware." With a pause, he remarks.

"Considering that the Lich is likely still technically alive, despite being consumed by the Collective?"

"I'd say it's a rather powerful tool."

Otherwise, anyone else simply would not survive that. To fall to the Collective is the point of no return - yet this one keeps resisting, even now.

How odd.

"I also know that this Lich in particular was centuries years old, so he's definitely ageless."

"Which... definitely gives lots of time to accomplish pretty much anything."
(Ambrose Roche)
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[23:26] And there were the missing pieces in the puzzle Nidaz had created. For years he has studied the art of soul manipulation, just to find a way to save his own and those of his family.

Among his researches he would come to find a Tome, which belonged to a powerful fairy who mentioned how she 'binded' her soul to a plane, the Ingress.. Since that day he researched more about it.

And there was the answer.

He would need a phylactery, but he would need to know how to create one. In addition to finding out how this process to transfer his own soul was done, after he completed his research.

All this information was noted and now an unnatural smile filled the man's face, not fading as it normally would.

"Fascinating, anything else?" He would first ask, "And really, time for this being must not have been lacking. If we, at least me.. Mere mortals, have the ability to achieve so much in one lifetime!

Yes...

Imagine a being that can live more than one." It was simply insane to think about how much knowledge such a being could possibly have.

And at the same time, exciting! The desire to find out more about something like this was there.. But he held back for the moment to focus on other things.
(Nidaz)
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[23:30] Was there anything else?

While he thought about it for some more, his eyes trailing about as if trying to remember something that may be buried deep in the memories.. there was not much that he could really think of. A shake of his head followed.

"No, not really."

"I think any further information deals with how to do that transfer of soul exactly - and how to create and prepare a proper phylactery."

This was the surface level of it. But then again, Ambrose did warn him, did he not?

He warned Nidaz that he's only seen surface level of the memories that belonged to the Lich - anything else required further dwelling, to unlock such secrets.

"But yes."

"Much could be achieved like that - which is precisely my intent as to why I chose to become an immortal." Even if he had an option not to.

All of what he dreamed of required him to be an everlasting person.
(Ambrose Roche)
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[23:33] Final notes were made, before he nodded. Anything that could be given of information, the vampire had provided. And now all the necromancer could do was help him!

And that would be done.

"Thank you for your contributions and I hope we can achieve a lot from this project together! The future looks fabulous." His speech would echo through the room as he rose to his feet.

Well, with nothing else to say the conversation would probably come to an end.. And now it was time to think and have new ideas for such a project.

"Regardless.. I won't take up your time anymore, so if you want to go - feel free to do so.. I might even open a Rift for you, but from what I saw in the war..

That's not necessary." A side comment from what he saw the vampire doing, a rift that opened for all troops to retreat.

Fabulous.
(Nidaz)
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[23:38] Any future cooperation would have to entail discovering more secrets.

How exactly that would go, however? Only time will tell.. but hopefully they would be successful, for both of them have too much at stake to simply let it rest. Nonetheless..

"Of course."

"We could continue from where we left off at a later date and discover more that it holds."

The offer for rift was declined with a polite shake of his head, if only to remark.

"You're correct. That's not necessary. I'm a riftmancer myself." A pause, to which he adds.

"I'll be seeing you later. Good luck in your endeavours."
(Ambrose Roche)
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[23:38] Nidaz says, "Safe travels, Prince Ambrose."
[23:39] Ambrose Roche says, "Farewell."