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Blood rushes up into your ears as you madly dash through darkened hallways, covered in strange pulsating veins, and quickly leap up several flights of steps before slowing down to a crouch. A single patrol of heavily armored guards in black steel caps and chainmail appear to your right, their eyes scouring the corridor. You haven't been spotted yet but it is only a matter of time. There is a room to your left you could duck into, but there was a chance you could be rushing headlong into more danger. In which case you're probably be better off dealing with this fairly small group quickly.
"It appears that you are safe for the moment, master. The guards have yet to realise you've escaped, but that will not last long. Might I suggest we continue moving on," said Daedalus.
Nodding your head in agreement, you reluctantly pull yourself upright and scan the room when you spot a dust laden chest hidden away at the back of the room with only a single dim gem attached to the wall providing light.
Excitement bubbling in your chest at the thought of discovering possible riches, you cautiously advance towards it, pull aside the carpet that lay strewn over it before inspecting the chest covered in ancient runes. "Daedalus do you know what this says?"
After a brief momentary pause, he replies, "Erie almerhurse. Efierfeat nuiforld. Here lies Balmera the Cursed. Defier of death and ruin of worlds."
Well, that didn't sound good. You've not heard of this Balmera, but the fact that the mages had collected her remains and placed them inside a chest, which was more than likely enchanted did not bode well for opening it. Although, if this Balmera was truly an enemy of the dark mages would it not prudent to at least take a peek inside?
Hands hovering over the chest, you move your fingers towards the clasp and hear a slight hum at the back of your mind, that grows stronger the closer you get, until finally unable to resist the temptation, you blast open the lock with a firebolt and heave it open. (- 4 Mana)
Inside lying at the bottom of the chest are a pair of gloves made up of the same fabric as the cloak as well as the ashes of the dead.
Daedalus lets out a thrum of exultation that vibrates through you. "I had hoped this tower would contain a piece of me, but I had not dared to think they would risk bringing it here, away from the island. Come now master, let me show what true power is."
Wary of Daedalus eagerness to be reunited, you wonder if you should wait to put it one, but can't help but be feel an insatiable curiosity yourself at the capabilities that could be unlocked by these gloves.
Soft as velvet and black as night, you pick them up and slowly slide them on, feeling awash with new energy that fizzles inside of you. (+50 Mana. Mana regeneration now increases at a much faster rate. Add +5 each time you complete a scenario without using any mana in that scenario. Converting Life Energy to Mana, also occurs at a greater rate with 5 Health points = 5 Mana.)
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Level 2 Spells
Storm of Light
Mana cost: 5
Daedalus, "Distract enemies with a light display that will be truly blinding."(Option will occasionally appear throughout the story.)
Enchanted Blade
Mana cost: 10
Daedalus, "Lighter than a feather and sharper than steel, this blade can cut through most everything with a single wave."(Enchanted Blade -20 damage.)
Heal
Mana cost: 15
Daedalus, "A simple if elegant, that transfers mana into health."(15 Mana, restores 5 Health points.)
Iron Skin
Mana cost: 20
Daedalus, "Become a weapon of unimaginable power, able to charge through walls and crush enemies in your fist." ( +20 Resilience)
Fireball Barrage
Mana cost: 30
Daedalus, "A personal favorite of mine, able to wipe out entire groups of enemies with a single blast."
Undead Bodyguard
Mana cost: 50
Daedalus, "Given life from death, it will serve you loyally without question and protect you for as long as it still lives."(Once summoned, the Undead Bodyguard will temporarily act as your companion for a single scenario and will take all the damage meant for you. However should it be destroyed or it is unable to adsorb all the damage, some of the damage will leak to you.)
Unable to help but smile at the incredible power that flows within you, you open and close your fists, feeling the magic bubbling inside of your veins eager to be released. So this was what it meant to be a mage. Power at your fingertips and a whole world ripe with opportunities.
Clenching your fist, you stride towards the doorway to test your new found powers when you hear something rustle behind you.
Half turning, you gape in awe as the ashes from the chest stir and begin to form into flesh and bone. The ashes flowing up into the air to take shape, revealing first a slim torso, limbs, than skull, until finally a woman emerges to stands before you, completely dressed in fine blue robes that are cinched at her waist by a golden belt, her dark brown hair curled up into ringlets and startling green eyes staring at you with keen interest.
Her red lips curl into a delicious smile as crooks her head to the side, before gliding past you to exit the room without a single word. Soon shouts, screams, guttural moans of agony shatter the silence, followed by the clamor of battle as steel rings on steel.
Trembling at the way she had frozen you in place with a simple glance, you shake your head and tentatively wonder what the hell just happened, although you are fairly certain you don't want to find out but it's too late for recriminations now. Whoever she was, she was free now and wreaking havoc within the tower. All of which would play to your advantage, with the dark mages distracted you could freely explore the tower. But where to go?
Daedalus ever present in your thoughts, chimed in, "Well from what I can remember master, there are several areas of the Tower, I would say were worth exploring. There's the armory which is located just above us, presumably this is where they store their weapons. The enchantery two or more floors above us, where they imbue items with magical abilities and store potions and what not. The slave quarters which should be fairly close to the armory, and the treasury room, which resides at the bottom of the tower and is usually guarded by a dragon. At leastwise that's how they were usually guarded during my time. Although I hear mages have become quite fond of demons. Folly if you ask me, there are only a handful of demons you can trust and most of those are dead."
5. Do you stay where you are and wait to see if the chaos subsides?
Preferring to conserve what little strength you have for when it really mattered, you lay down to rest in the corner of the room, the noises of battle keeping you company at your silent vigil.
Battlefield Results
+50 Health points
Companion Reputation, (-2 Daedalus is not pleased at all.)
Loot
None