Their little group was five strong. Trillia rode atop Ialu. Kismet and Maldoun flew near her. Ralrouk just jumped wherever he needed to go. The orc was taking extremely well to the desert sun and heat. It was another scouting run that they were returning from. That was how it had been lately. Scout an area for a pedestal, get the pedestal, and install it on a sandstone dias. Ralrouk came in handy with that as well, easily able to lift the several hundred-pound stones. It saved Arlyss a lot of portals.
The guards loved him because no one ever wanted to bother them when Ralrouk was around. Most humans just thought him a giant and avoided any guard station that the orc was near.
Rumours began to circulate that their new resident deity was trading with the savage humanoids. These rumours were proven true a month later when a squad of four shamen and three berserkers were seen trading with some of the local merchants.
The resistance had grown quieter and quieter the more regularly orcs were sighted in the city.
That was also Ralrouk's 'fault'. Ralrouk had been wandering about D'Jamu and stumbled upon one of the old slavers who had chained a child up and was abusing the poor thing.
They scrapped what was left of the slaver off of the streets. The child said they had no recollection of what had transpired. It was like they woke up from a bad nightmare, and the memories quickly vanished.
It did reinforce the idea that slavery was no longer acceptable. The fact these 'savages' were so violently tempered against it added an incredible amount of weight to most people's decisions. Trade for new trinkets and heavy furs for spices and trinkets of their own. Or side with the people who were vanishing in droves by the day.
-=- Some Months Later -=-
There was a large crowd of people gathered. A glass branch had appeared from the spire. Overlooking a massive and empty part of the city. Arlyss stood there waiting for more people to show up. Trillia stood on one side, Kismet on the other. Slightly behind them stood Maldoun, Ralrouk, and most terrifying for the humans stood Amara and Cordaos. People had just started to warm up to how large and intimidating orcs were.
Minotaur might not have the [Brawn], but their frankly absurd [Charisma] meant that most people were terrified of being in the same room as them if that's what the minotaur decided to project. The fact that Cordaos was more than twice as tall as most humans only added to that.
Maldoun walked up behind Arlyss and spoke softly in the human tongue. "All is as you've asked, Lord Arlyss. The people are ready."
Arlyss nodded and stepped forward and up onto the air. Walking off the balcony and raising his voice. The sound boomed out and shook the very foundation of the city. "Hear me! I am Arlyss Ocrey Darktone, Lesser Deity of Knowledge and Liberator of D'Jamu. I know we have struggled. I know we have suffered loss. I know that for a long time, the resistance told you that enslaving those you deem lesser was the only way forward! That it was the only way we could grow our own food!"
The crowd fell silent and stared up at the deity speaking to them. Trillia could feel him radiating divinity. Not only for effect but also to calm the minds of those most worried. "With the help of the people of the Shattered Plains and the incredible effort and work of our very own Engineering Guild. We have proven those slavers wrong!" Arlyss turned to Ralrouk and Cordaos. "Please bring them out."
The people looked around in fear. Some were terrified they had angered the new - and young - deity and were going to be culled. Cordaos and Ralrouk hopped off of the balcony. A few moments later and a low rumbling was heard. From underground the tower emerged a half dozen of the lovax, pulling carts laden with barrels that were filled with grain and other food.
Voices began to whisper and murmur in the crowd, slowly spreading out in an all-consuming blaze of passion. Arlyss spoke over it and once more brought the crowd to silence. "Let me be clear. Consider this my last and final offer of peace. Throw away your idealogy of slavery, and you may partake in the wonderful bounty that alliances and freedom bring! This is your alternative." Arlyss snapped his fingers, and Trillia winced at the amount of divinity and magic put into the spell. All the mortals here would feel it.
It was a simple spell that completely removed a person's ability to resist auras. Even her own traits were temporarily nullified.
On cue, Stas slowly clambered down the side of the glass spire. Trillia remembered the faint divine aura that Stas gave off on their first meeting. Now? Now it felt like it was crushing her.
You're in the presence of the Divine Abomination!
You are too weak to resist the effect!
Your skills are disabled!
Your traits are disabled!
Your class skills are disabled!
You will lose 10% of your resources a second until you are dead!
Half the crowd fell to their knees. Others gritted their teeth but remained standing. Trillia struggled to remain standing. As she began to waver, she felt her mother's arm wrap around her and hold her up.
Another snap from Arlyss brought relief. A third healed everyone to full. Despite the size of the city, Trillia was sure you could hear a blade of grass hit the ground.
Arlyss let the reality sink in for a moment before speaking. "I tried to be peaceful. I tried to be diplomatic. I'm done. In the next seventy-two hours, anyone who still owns slaves will release them safely and unharmed. If you kill them, Lord Stas will pay you and your entire family a visit. If you try to flee D'Jamu, Lord Stas will hunt you down and kill you and your entire family. Choose peace or choose death. We prepare for a war against the Sage and the [Primordials] of old. I cannot have enemies at my back any longer."
After a few more minutes of hushed whispers, Arlyss raised a hand. "Please...please choose peace. Please walk into the future with me. Do not make me unleash the monster on any of you. This city raised me as one of its own. I know you are good people. I hear your prayers nightly. My companions and I work tirelessly to answer them all. We bring you food, safety, and new trade. Do not turn us into the monsters the resistance claims we are."
Arlyss bowed his head slightly and turned back toward the balcony. Trillia recognized the voice immediately, but not all the humans did. Ralrouk, in all his boisterous nature, was the first to make noise. "THREE CHEERS FOR THE ENGINEERS GUILD! THREE CHEERS FOR THE SHATTERED PLAINS! THREE CHEERS FOR LORD ARLYSS!"
Around the crowd, a few others joined in. It took a moment for people to realize the resistance really was going to be a thing of the past. It took them time to realize they weren't going to starve anymore, that they were safe, and that their new deity and their new allies would push them out of the prison that D'Jamu had become.
Slowly the few cheers turned into a roar of approval. Amara had a little smirk on her face, as did Stas. As Arlyss walked up to them, he shook his head. "I think that was a dirty trick you pulled."
Stas chuckled faintly and tapped the young lad on his shoulder. "Listen to your elders, Lord Arlyss. We've stirred up a crowd more times than you can imagine. We've seen the best of the best do it. These people will never forget this day. Their children and grandchildren will remember this day. The day that D'Jamu was truly liberated. Take it from someone who wore chains entirely too long, Lord Arlyss. They needed this."
Amara glanced at Trillia to make sure she was steady before bowing her head. "Your parents would be proud of you, Lord Arlyss. Both were more righteous than they cared to admit. Both had a soft spot for the broken and downtrodden. It's why myself and the other great generals were saved. I'm glad my daughter found a good patron."
Arlyss bowed his head slightly. "Thank you for the kind words. As far as I'm concerned, our work is just beginning. We have an undead Pact-Bound to eliminate. Then we prepare for war with the [Primordials]."
The faces of everyone gathered turn serious, and each, in turn, bowed to him. Trillia smiled and gave him a thumbs up.
-=- More Months Later -=-
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Trillia only realized she was turning nine thanks to her stats randomly going up one day. She had missed her last birthday in the commotion that was her life. She'd probably miss this one as well. She tried to remind herself to celebrate in six months.
She pulled her rapier out of a skull. The skeleton fell over dead. "Set up the dais here Ralrouk. Kismet begin the ritual. Maldoun, Ialu, and I will ensure you are both safe."
Everyone nodded and got to work. Trillia tugged ever so slightly at the mental connection with Ialu and began to circle the area. Everyone had gotten used to her being the leader. Her telepathy was growing more powerful by the day. Between training with Stas and constant communication with Ialu and Arlyss, she had gotten a lot of use out of it.
"[Radiant Lance]!"
The artifact on her arm hummed to life, and a brilliant light shone a second before a rain of bolts was let loose towards an oncoming group of skeletons. "Maldoun! More on the east flank!"
As the two charged at more of the Sage's undead, Trillia leapt from Ialu's back, diving into the group of skeletons. Her rapier was glowing the same brilliant light of her radiant abilities. Maldoun joined shortly after. Ialu seemed impervious to the attacks of the skeletons. Maldoun charged in, swinging the mighty two-handed blade he used. Trillia danced under and around his strikes. The two had become very familiar with this dance over the past few months.
Ialu darted out of the group. As she spun around and opened her mouth, a wave of light radiated from her mouth. Burning the skeletons and burning away any curse magic that was clinging to Trillia and Maldoun.
"Dais down!" Ralrouk roared loud enough that he could wake the dead himself. Trillia heard the mighty roar before she saw his form slam into more undead and scatter them. She withdrew from the group and ran back towards Kismet, letting the others handle the undead. She'd need to feed the ritual once Kismet prepared it.
Kismet finished the last of the etched runes as Trillia arrived. Bowing her head slightly before joining in the defense as more undead began to form and charge at them. The Sage knew what each dais meant. Knew what the ritual and the pedestal would do to its ability to control the undead hordes. Trillia half-sheathed her rapier, grabbing it in her right hand and slicing her hand open, letting her blood hit the pedestal as she dumped a million points of mana into the pedestal and surrounding runes.
"The wisdom of Lethe
By the grace of Lord Arlyss
Sanctify this land"
As the ritual was completed and her mana filled the runes, a veil exploded from the dais. Most of the undead were banished entirely. Others seemed to lose their focus and grew considerably weaker.
Trillia grabbed onto the pedestal. She always felt incredibly weak after fulfilling a ritual. Ralrouk was at her side in seconds and lifted her up. "Rest, little one. We'll get you home safe."
Trillia nodded slightly.
You're under the effects of [Soul Fatigue]!
Resources will not regenerate for 24 hours!
She was happy to take the rest. Every three days, they'd activate another dais like this. They were probably thirty in, and she had been getting this debuff after the fourth. "I wonder how many more. Until we can draw the Sage out to kill him?" Her voice was hoarse as she spoke. Looking up at her brother.
"Just a few more, I'm sure. Don't you worry. I'll make sure you're safe. Go through your notifications for the week and rest. We'll be back at it soon. You know the routine." Trillia nodded when he finished, the others joined them shortly after, and they headed back toward D'Jamu.
-=- 9th Birthday -=-
Trillia lay in bed and refused to leave the comfortable blankets as Ialu whined, whimpered, and tugged at her arm. Trillia just rolled up tighter. "My day off. I'll join you later. Let me sleep."
After a few minutes, Ialu gave up and just lay down next to Trillia, the two happily snoozing away. Trillia spent half the day with the people of D'Jamu, who had come to label her a prophet when she started using her divine skill to help the common folk. The other half of the day she spent in the Shattered Plains. Everyone agreed to take a half day off to get together for a feast and some much-needed rest. According to Arlyss' prediction, they'd force the Sage's hand in the next year or two. Trillia would have never dreamed it would take them so long, but apparently, the desert was a large place.
She waved a hand in front of her face, wanting to forget about the plan and the problems and just enjoy the wonderful music that Amelia was playing for her. Arlyss had been swarmed by young orcs asking to become his holy warriors in the Shattered Plains. Surprisingly, he handled them well. Mock inspecting each and testing their mettle with feats of strength and balance. Saying they'd be there soon and to keep training.
As Trillia let loose a happy sigh, her mother sat next to her. "This is why we do it." Trillia glanced at her quizzically. Amara motioned to the people around her, laughing, smiling, and partying. "Immortality. A lifetime of servitude and work. It is because of nights like this that we see the happiness in our people and are reminded of all the joy and happiness we can bring. The lives we save. I know it is a human tradition to give gifts. But I got you something."
Trillia sat up slightly and turned more seriously to her mother. Amara had never been a particularly sentimental person. Amara pulled a polished ebony box from a pocket space. It was nearly four feet in length. She set it on the table next to them.
Trillia stood, and walked over to the box, running her fingers along it. "Why?"
Amara smiled faintly and sat across from Trillia and the box. "Queen Alliyah got me a gift after I had been a pact-bound for a year. Said it was good to have a permanent reminder of your people. The storage item I have was given to me by her. I fear I'm no queen. This isn't quite so extravagant."
Trillia smirked at that and slowly opened the lid. A long and slender rapier blade rested on a black velvet cloth. The blade itself looked familiar to her. Searching through her mind, she remembered where she had seen the glass-like colorful substance before. "This is divine crystal..." Her eyes widened slightly, and she looked up at Amara, who smiled and nodded.
"I can't accept this...it's...it's too much." Amara leaned over the table and grabbed Trillia's hand.
"You're going to fight for an eternity. Same as I am. I want you to have a blade you can trust. I asked Stas and Lord Arlyss to help me make it for you. Accept it, and put it to good use."
Trillia squeezed her mother's hand and nodded. Pulling her hand away and tracing her fingers carefully along the blade. The crystal came to life as she touched it. The hilt was made of some hard substance that didn't seem to fully exist in this realm. As she touched the handle, the notification popped up.
Would you like to bind this artifact to you?
Artifact Details:
Sliver of Fate
This artifact counts as any one-handed blade for the purposes of skills.
While using this artifact, any weapon mastery skills that apply to any one-handed blade will work in unison for this artifact.
This artifact cannot be lost or stolen from the creature it has been bound to. Regardless of distance or dimension, the creature this artifact is bound to can always summon it to their side with an hour of preparation and a single point of mana.
This artifact is indestructible.
This artifact can sense the intent of the creature it is bound to.
50% of the damage dealt while using this artifact is divine damage.
The user of this artifact may imbue it with mana at a rate of 100,000 mana a second. While so imbued, the blade bypasses all mortal defenses and will deal its full intended damage to the target.
The creature bound to this artifact is treated as having all class skills from the class [Fencer] at max level. If the user already has such skills, their effective level is doubled. (Up to and including over the usual max values.) This allows the creature bound to this artifact to be treated as having the [Fencer] class maxed out for the purposes of new classes or class evolutions.
For a cost of 1,000 mana. This artifact can be hidden in its own private pocket dimension. It can be summoned back to the bound creature's hand at any time for free if it was hidden in such a way.
Trillia stared at the notification for a long time. Slowly she lifted her eyes to her mother, overwhelmed by the gift. "I...it's too much."
Stas saw the exchange and made his way over. Sitting down next to Trillia. "It's exactly what you deserve. Accept the gift. You aren't human, but it's extremely rude to turn away such a gift from one so loved."
Amara glared a bit at Stas. Trillia chuckled softly and looked back to the artifact. "I promise. I'll never turn it to an unjust cause."
With that, she accepted.
You've bound the artifact [Sliver Of Fate] to you.
She moved around the table and hugged her mother for a good few minutes before hugging Stas as well. "Thank you, both of you."
Amara smiled softly and ruffled her hair. "Just keep your promise. Help save us old relics. I have a lot to live for and don't really want to sacrifice myself if I don't have to."
Trillia smiled as tears filled her eyes. "I will make sure that's not needed. After all, I'll need you around for advice as I stumble my way through all of this."
Amara chuckled and kissed the top of her head. "You're going pretty good so far, kiddo. Come on, let's go sing with Amelia. I'm sure we can embarrass ourselves together."
Trillia laughed a little and nodded. Amara stored the box for the rapier, and the three of them moved over to rejoin the party.
Age 9-
Name: {Trillia Demonsbane}
Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level: 66
Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Adolescent;Runt] Level: 61
Class: [Monster Slayer] Level 37
Class: [Mana Sage] Level: 9
Mastery:
Minstrel- Restorative Chant - MAX
Minstrel- Astra's Amazing Agility - MAX
Fencer- Fleet Foot - MAX
Fencer - Weapon's Path - MAX
Swashbuckler - Disarming Charisma - MAX
Mage - Magic Dynamo - MAX
Mage - Augment: Extended Range - MAX
Mage - Augment: Blast Radius - MAX
Monster Slayer - Mental Bestiary - MAX
Bound Artifacts: 3
[The Shattered Bolt]
[Red River Resonance]
[Sliver of Fate]
Mentor: Amelia Shatterhoof (Minstrel/Alive) Skill: [Marching Cadence]
Mentor: Maldoun Mostafa (Radiant Blade/Alive) Skill: [Radiant Lance]