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Conversing with Spirits #1

Present: Amawar and Kovaks
Spells: Seance, Divine Aid and Intervention

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Amawar and Kovaks join up and meet with a plan to try to contact the Celestial Spirits and advance the efforts to wield the power of the Valkyrie against the forces of Nemesis.


Amawar settles in and sets up her normal divination ritual. She has her protect the soul and resist magic spells active.

She closes her eyes and flips her timer.

"I call to the spirits and beings of the Celestial Realm opposed to the Abyss. I am, Amawar Truehammer, a humble researcher who wishes make contact with those who may aid us in our battles against the Abyss. With me is Ser Kovaks who has been working on this path for many years. In days to come we will be bringing the battle to and with hopes of ending a Demon Prince. In that fight I pray that you find us worthy of hosting one of you and becoming Valkyries to deliver righteous justice to said prince and his minions in the same manner that you aided Aerynn in her time of need.

We await your word and look forward to speaking with you."

And with that Amawar will wait to see if there is a response.


As the two sit around Amawar's ritual setup, they feel like the air might have lightened, or brightened, by some degree, although there seems to be no marked change in lighting.


Kovaks looks up and sniffs the air.


The air seems unchanged in scent and otherwise.


The two hear a voice that sounds female, kindly, and serious.

Spirit: "What kind of person calls to me?"


Kovaks defers to Amawar.


Amawar meets Kovaks' eyes. "We are those who seek to stand against the Darkness of the Abyss. Against the demons and their Princes. We seek to stand together in the Light."


Spirit: "You are touched by the Sentinels, although you do not hail from the world they primarily observe. I sense there is one in your company who is so touched as well."


Kovaks: "I am Kovaks. I too have spoken with the Sentinels. We have a common goal. I wish to learn more."


Spirit: "The Sentinels are not of us, but we know them to uphold our cause when they deem it appropriate to their interests. I should say your goal aligns more with mine than theirs. What is it you seek of the Celestial to aid you in the fight against the Abyss, against demons and their Princes?"


Amawar goes to speak and stops. "I am Amawar, I am often referred to as a child of the Sentinels. Kovaks and I wish to make a stand against the Demon Princes Nemesis. Research has led us to believe that your aid in the form of a Valkyrie could help turn the tide of this battle. I know what we ask is not to be done lightly, and so I wish to see how we may prove ourselves worthy of such a boon."


Spirit: "I will say first that I mean no disparagement of the Sentinels and their alignments, as you are clearly bound to them in some way. When your goal is to observe and learn, your interests align more with their practices. When you goal is to engage in active conflict, your interests then align more with mine, which is what seems the case in this instance. And before I continue, I will also say that, unlike as with typical interchanges with the Sentinels, you are speaking to an individual at the moment. My name is Safineia." (pronounced sah-fee-nee-ah)


Kovaks: "Honored to meet you, Safineia. And grateful for you sharing your time and wisdom with us."


Amawar nods and bows some. "It is an honor Safineia. Thank you for your time you have granted us."


Safineia: "Indeed, one such as me can be summoned into a willing mortal host to create a Valkyrie. And indeed, such a being is a powerful force against its equal from the Abyss. It is, as you said, a boon, but also a burden. When a spirit of the Abyss has been bound to corporeal form, we too must bind ourselves to affect them. The fate of one is the fate of both."


Amawar nods. "Understood." She looks to Kovaks in case they have things to say."


Kovaks: "Is the process permanent, time-bounded, or ended by releasing you?"


Amawar smiles at the excellent question.


Safineia: "The time-bounded nature is a matter of life and threat rather than time as your sands flow. Most often the bonding can end when the threat is put down and no longer present at that place and time. I do not know if the mortal can release the celestial servant at will, or if the servant can leave if there is still any threat. It is our nature to destroy Darkness. It is not uncommon for the Valkyrie to end its time by destroying a similarly powerful abyssal agent -- at the expense of its own existence."


Kovaks under their breathe, "Minus one plus one equals zero...", then in a full voice, "But, since the fate of one is the fate of both, that would also destroy the mortal vessel, no?"


Safineia: "Yes it would."


Kovaks glances at Amawar. "Duly noted"


Amawar nods and sighs slightly. "Hrmm. Many that have become servants of the Demon Prince we face seek freedom and redemption. Would it be possible to wield the power of the Valkyrie in such a way that we simply leave the enemy's soul free from the dark embrace of its master?"


Safineia: "That is an intriguing question. Tell me more of these servants, for I find it surprising that redemption would be sought or possible. I would expect one can no sooner redeem a servant of the Abyss than turn one of my kind to Darkness. It is a matter of nature."


Kovaks: "The souls of these servants used to be mortal. Nemesis took them in exchange for empty promises, and forced them to serve. While some were more willing than others, my goal would be to let the souls be treated as the humans they were, rather than the wraiths they were forced to become. But only insofar as doing so does not hamstring us in our fight against Nemesis themself."


Amawar: "We have also managed to redeem one. She was to be the champion of the Sentinels against this threat, but fell to darkness. Through work and dedication we managed to free her soul and call her back into her blade. She is no longer mortal but now stands as a mighty divine weapon against the darkness."


Safineia: "I should think that ridding the field of those wraiths would deprive the Prince of his right hand. As for saving their souls - if you have a way, as you said, with work and dedication - perhaps that could be leveraged again. The only way I would assume would work - before having spoken with you - would be for the lord to release his servants in peace. Which I do not imagine happening. Tell me more about these servants of your nemesis. As they appear in stature and power. And I should tell you something of power, as you seem new to leveraging astral forces in battle. A being such as me - even bonded into a land-bound Valkyrie, would not have enough power alone to defeat a Demon Prince. If power were akin to military ranking structure, with a Queen at the head, who commands her generals, who are well above soldiers - I am at the level of general. What manner of forces does your enemy bring, with this comparison in mind?"


Amawar: "The enemy has one that stands as his Queen. His mortal avatar. One he can possess and command his wraith through. Below that are his Wraiths. These are mortal souls bound to service. Most took a devils bargain to save those they care for. Others willingly serve. There are five wraiths. The dagger wraith who was the man who learned how to banish the Demon Prince. The mace wraith who was a pious man who sought to protect innocence. The Archer Wraith who wields a powerful bow. The lance wraith who I believe once was a mercenary and serves willingly. And lastly a shield wraith who hates mages. Each of these wraiths wield powerful weapons that represent their namesake. Defeating these wraiths leave the winner marked with the symbol of the Demon Prince."


Safineia: "The fact that their numbers are limited, and that they seem to be powerful Abyssal servants bound to once mortal bodies and souls, would suggest that they would be as the enemy's generals, akin in power to a Valkyrie, with likely more offensive power but less resilience than the Celestial servant would have. Be it known they do not have the power to self-sacrifice to destroy one of us."


Kovaks: "Even if they did, I doubt they would in their current state"


Safineia: "It would follow that they lack free will in their current state, under the thumb of their master."


Amawar frowns and nods. "The free will we witnessed earlier this year should be assumed gone."


Safineia: "A Valkyrie has free will, but a strong drive to destroy. However, learning what you know of these wraiths' backgrounds, I can see how kindly souls such as yours would wish to redeem them, and that they may wish it as well if they are not corrupted beyond saving."

The voice pauses a moment before continuing.

"The Valkyrie is summoned in times of great need, with intent to do battle. The end goal of the battle is to vanquish Darkness. Sometimes this means fighting until the enemy is driven back, or until it is destroyed, or until you are. Two beings as one - one body, one will."

"Your wish to stay my hand, were I to be your called servant, to allow somehow for destruction only of the body - of the connection - and allow its soul freedom... This is a strange and ambitious idea. You may find yourself fighting your own will, for in that moment it will be in your nature to destroy."

"But I am intrigued."


Kovaks: "It is something I am researching, and it is a goal, but one I am willing to abandon for the greater goal if the cost is too high"


Safineia: "Tell me about how you measure cost. What would you consider the cost to be, and when would it be too high?"


Kovaks: "If doing so would mean we cannot defeat Nemesis. If doing so would mean harm to more innocents. If doing so would destroy a mortal that others would not allow to be destroyed, thus causing unnecessary death or pain. There are many other criteria. It is more art than science."


Safineia: "Your concern is that redeeming those wraiths might incur the demon's wrath even further?"


Kovaks: "One of many concerns. The last time a large plan of theirs was thwarted, they developed a new one that has been much harder to stop"


Safineia: "I believe if the enemy is evil and bent on destruction, no doing of yours will alter that course significantly. You have already identified it as a large enough threat to consider invoking the Valkyrie. Removing those wraiths - by redemption or destruction - would leave fewer generals in the field, and if anything, weaken the enemy's ability to destroy as much as it might like."


Amawar has been quiet for a while. Finally she looks up and speaks. "I believe the cost of the invoking of the Valkyrie may be too much if it permanently ends the life of its host. While I willingly would give my life to see Nemesis' reign ended, many would stop me from doing so."


Kovaks: "I'd be first in line and you know it"


The voice seems to smile.


Safineia: "The Valkyrie is at choice whether to sacrifice itself or not. What I do not know is how badly you -- when we are you -- will want to. But if redemption is the goal, and can be achieved, then destruction will not be an option, as that would destroy all hope of saving those souls."


Amawar listens intently. "You were intrigued by the idea of staying the hand of the Valkyrie from obliteration ... If one was to properly manage to stay the hand... Do you believe that sacrifice would be necessary? To simply eradicate the connection and to free the soul?"


Safineia: "Freeing the mortal soul and removing the power and servitude of the abyssal servant would equate with removing the dark threat, in my understanding. You said you found a way to sever the soul from that wraith you redeemed, so it must be possible without full destruction on either side."


Amawar: "It requires the body of the wraith to be bested 20 times in combat and then the soul called before it's Master can reclaim it."

Safineia: "Because celestial servants who sacrifice do not return to share their tale, I do not know what goes through the shared mind as one decides to destroy rather than simply beat down and defeat an enemy as when one fells lesser forces. I do not know if the urge to destroy will arise when the threat is seen to be of similar power value to the self. But the host does become a partner in driving the Valkyrie's fury, so... I have some level of belief that you could carry your intent through the fights."


Amawar nods.


The suspended sands in the ritual hourglass resume falling smoothly through their funnel.


Amawar: "Before you leave let me off you this." She removes her protect the soul sash. Amawar channels a powerful spell and releases it. "Shall you need more information or wish to reach me let this power serve as a conduit. Safineia, I open myself to you and through this power, should you be willing let us form a bond." (( Intervention + Divine Aid


Amawar feels a warm embrace at the center of their being.

She smiles.


Safineia: "Amawar, this was your call that went out on this occasion, into the Celestial realm. I specifically answered, as I felt drawn to your nature. This has played out to prove well, in that I am intrigued rather than dismayed at your interest in ultimately helping the servants of the enemy."

"When you call again, place Kovaks at the center of your focus, have them speak of themselves into the reaching path, so that their nature may be plain for another so-aligned servant to grasp. We are all of a nature, but we are individuals, as are you. If you are even to attempt redemption, you will need Valkyric power that can be leveraged to your goals. Which may prove impossible. But more likely, I believe, will not. As I said, I am intrigued. And we will speak again."


Kovaks: "Thank you again for your time and for all the information you have given."


Safineia: "Thank you for your interest and willingness to risk much for the cause of Light. I think it is wise you seek the counsel of those who would align with you in this endeavor."


Amawar: "Thank you, Safineia. Go in the Light and be well. You have aided us well and guided us along a long path we have sought for years."


Safineia: "You tread that path with wisdom, both of you. Opening yourselves to us may allow for a pairing of aligned interest and I can only think it would serve you especially well when your goal is to use a destructive force to heal rather than destroy. Be well, Amawar. Be sure to connect Kovaks again, before you enter into your most difficult battles."


Amawar: "We will call again." She smiles with certainty in her voice."


The last sands fall, the air seems to return to something more familiar, but they both still feel somehow cared for in this moment.

Created by Amawar Truehammer (Alex Taylor) at 10-22-26 07:10 PM
Last Modified by Amawar Truehammer (Alex Taylor) at 10-22-26 10:13 PM