Balasar let out a breath of relief as he sees Zuigrii, quickly navigating his way over to him.
"Ah, Zuigrii, I'm so happy to see a familiar face. I was hoping to put in an order to have some tools made if the guild isn't too preoccupied with the war effort, and I've never been in here before so I don't really know how it all works."
He looks to the other member and the papers before looking back to Zuigrii.
"If you're not too busy, I would love some help. But if you're in the middle of something, I'd hate to interrupt."
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As they make their way, Balasar speaks up. "I've also been trying to place an order at the Artisans guild for some tools to possibly remove the ritual from the dragon bones as well, like a saw or chisel, though I'm not sure what metal would work best. Maybe mithril?"
It isn't long before they make it to Zuigrii's home.
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Balasar makes his way to the Artisans Guild. Seeing the hive of activity and the billowing smoke emerging from the top, he eyes the building uncertainly as he makes his way towards the door.
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He enters with his notes tucked under his arm and a smile returning Jade's0.
"Hello, baroness Jade. I was wondering if you could accompany me to those dragon bones again, or just open the ward for me if you're busy. I haven't learned enough of the language to be completely fluent, but I think I've learned enough to translate the ritual and find out what it does."
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Balasar makes his way through the halls of the Seshtau embassy, going over his written notes and quietly muttering what he had learned of the ancient dragon language in preparation of what's to come. The familiar path he follows takes him to a place he's become quite comfortable returning to, Jade's office. He only finishes his rehearsal as he makes it to the door, reaching forward to give a quick, polite knock.
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Balasar laughs as well and rubs his arm where Jade punched.
"Well, as I said, he wants me to retrieve a book from one of the bottom floors of the library of Lost Kings. Or I believe that's the name. It's that Library you had mentioned wanting to revisit sometime I believe."
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He nearly stumbles his own foot at the complement, flustering slightly.
"Maybe... but definitely not any time soon! If you also want to learn it, I'm sure you could also ask. I wouldn't be upset if you did. We'll all need to work together anyway if we're going to get to the bottom levels of that place. From everything I heard Zuigrii say of there... it sounds incredibly treacherous."
He then smiles back, a gleam in his eyes at the chance to explain more about what he heard.
"Anyways, as it was explained to me. Shadow magic is entirely unique as a school of magic. It touches on every other type of magic as it was told to me. It can heal, harm, and you already know about that shadowstep ability that your familiar let's you do. The thing is, unlike others where you use energy that's already there, shadow magic has the caster actively draw out the energy to cast shadow spells. It was also told to me that shadow magic tenants a price on the user. Archmage Shadowcaster said that for him, it cost life force, but that it varies depending on the caster, and that the price can be quite personal."
He rubs the back of his head.
"That part does make me nervousnervous, but I'm more excited than anything to have a chance at learning it."
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"Well..."
Balasar trails off slightly.
"Last gather, we all ended up heading towards Hallowseeker academy to find teachers for the different skills we were after. And there, I found someone able to teach shadow magic... now don't laugh... but his name is literally Shadowcaster."
He sighs almost longingly.
"simply stepping into his office was something I could never forget... you could feel the weave everywhere in there... But anyway, there's a task that I need to do before he'll teach me."
He pauses for a moment before continuing.
"He says that near the bottom floors of the Library of Lost Kings... If I bring him a specific book from down there, he'll teach me how to read it... and that will start my learnings in shadow magic. He never said exactly which book... just that it would 'know it when I see it' or I wouldn't be able to learn shadow magic."
He looks down for a while before looking back to Jade.
"He also explained the nature of shadow magic to me... at least, in a way that that someone not versed in it could understand."
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Later on during Jade and Balasar's traveling...
"Jade, if I remember right, I believe you also mentioned you had an interest in learning about shadow magic too. Right?"
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"An animation spell?"
Balasar pauses and looks towards Jade.
"I have the 7th tier create undead spell, but if there are better spells for animating undead, maybe my problem is that I didn't use a strong enough spell?"
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On the way back, as Balasar's initial excitement wears off slightly, he looks over towards Jade as they walk.
"Jade, I do have a question... How do you normaly raise your powerful undead? Is it really as simple as the tier 7 spell create undead? It almost feels too easy."
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Valasar digs through his bags and pulls out some dried phosphorescent moss.
"I do have some dried phosphorescent moss. However. The only hematite I have is raw, and I do not have rust monster saliva. It seems that we'll need to head back for those."
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Balasar opens and digs through his own bag.
"I might have some of what you might need for it. What are you missing for the ritual?"
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Balasar jumps back as the bones rattle, before he laughs in excitement before they go still once more.
"It works! Or we'll, it was beginning to work. Likely, then enchantment is what's in the way of them animating, or perhaps the very size and power of this beast leaves the magic uncertain to take hold!"
He looks over the enchantments and the skeleton again.
"Yes, if you have the materials available, please remove the magic from the bones. I simply must try this again!"
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Balasar nods and takes a deep breath, steadying himself as he begins to cast the spell, his speaking slowly and measured. Making absolutely sure not to accidentally mix up the words or misspeak the incant.
"By the powers of Darkness I twist the thread and wield my voice to raise the dead."
He then puts his hands to the bones, casting the spell into them.
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