Deacon decided to head back to his carriage. Daskus and Typhus got into a brawl after he mentioned the bread. Daskus even began throwing rations at Typhus. Since Deacon couldn’t get a word in edgewise, he decided to leave. On his way back he decided to review the abilities on his slate. He’s been collecting a lot of them and could use a good refresher.

Ability Name

Level

Progress

Description

Spectral Dash

3

80%

Due to hard work and training you no longer need to wait to be attacked to use this ability. You can actively dash in any direction for five souls or reactively dodge for one.

Touch of the Void

2

50%

This ability applies Holy damage to your melee strikes by channeling the cold void of the Nether Plane. Repeated strikes apply a slowing effect.

Soul Sight

1

N/A

This ability allows the Nether Monk to see spirits, specters, ghosts, and other incorporeal beings. This is a passive ability that also grants limited sight in dark places, up to fifteen feet.

Sayance

3

80%

This ability will let you speak to souls. If these souls are consumed, you may temporarily use an ability they knew at the cost of their soul. If the soul is non sentient you will be able to delve into its memories. Be warned, the older a soul is before moving on the less sane it will be so information may no longer be reliable.

Strike of the Phantasm Knight

1

50%

This ability summons a giant armored arm of a phantasm knight from the frozen Nether plane. This ability converts soul energy into holy damage x10. It can only be used on a stationary target and will consume health if insufficient soul energy is available. It is suggested that the user transcends the mortal limit before use.

Zageracks Breathing Technique

3

80%

This ability allows for the conversion of souls into energy within your body. Souls will be drawn to you passively at a slow rate. If you meditate and concentrate on your breathing, you can absorb souls much more quickly. Soul energy can be used for various special attacks, these attacks will all count as Holy damage.

Nether Beam

2

35%

Nether Beam fires concentrated Nether Plane energy causing a target to freeze in place until thawed. This technique can be sustained to create thicker ice at the cost of a soul per minute.

Apparitions Aura

3

80%

Allows fine control of energies from the Nether Plane to surround the user. This can create many affects but will slowly drain soul energy if not near a sufficient supply of souls. There is now a constant covering of your aura around your body granting the following passive benefits: Aura projections no longer need manual targeting. You can just manifest the effects by sight. Reaction time for anything entering your aura range has increased. Greater sympathetic connection to your element.

Ice Sickles

3

50%

By circulating Nether Energy you can project finely edged blades. These blades count as Holy damage and can be increased based on the speed of the spin. Max blades equal half level rounded down. Costs five percent soul energy per blade.

Phantom Shield

1

25%

The Nether Monk can deflect missile attacks in any direction. The cost is twenty percent soul energy per deflection with subsequent reductions in cost with greater skill levels

Polterheist

1

N/A

Within your aura you can manipulate objects without touching them. The weight limit is half your level rounded down in pounds. No cost.

Limited Intangibility

R

N/A

You can pass through solid objects. Half level rounded down in feet. No cost.

Toxic Waste

1

50%

You can cleanse a target of poisons or toxins sending it into The Black. The resulting transfer of energy creates a ball that can be used to attack a target resulting in disintegrating whatever the ball touches. Damage type holy; The Black.

Dragon Claw Barrage

1

75%

This ability drives you forward twenty feet while swiping your claws at anything in your path. This is a combination of your dash ability and dragon lineage. It will cost fifty percent of your endurance…Rule Breaker fifty percent soul energy. Higher levels of this ability will infuse it with whatever arcane source of energy you are currently using.

Midas Touch

1

N/A

This ability allows you to change a small object into gold once a week…Rule Breaker has activated. This ability allows you to change any object into any precious material once a month.

Squad Command, Passive Ability

1

N/a

Gain 2% greater health per unit under your command.

Ghastly Defender

1

20%

For a sustained cost of twenty percent of your soul energy, a malicious yet unseen ghost will defend you from any and all melee attackers. If your attackers can’t overcome their fear, they will be forced to attack someone or something else. Beyond level five, this ability will be imbued with whatever source of arcanum you are tapped into.

Banshee’s Wail

1

20%

While channeling the hell of the Tempest Plane, you can scream out a paralyzing wail. This will paralyze targets in a cone in front of the Monk, barring any resistances or talents that prevent paralysis. Effect will last five minutes with changes in duration at levels five and ten. This ability costs one hundred soul energy.

Dragon Scale Armor

R

N/A

For the cost of one hundred and fifty soul energy you can summon a set of dragon scale armor from your ancestors. This armor reduces incoming damage from mundane and enchanted weapons by twenty percent. The armor will only last until you are out of combat. Then it will need to be resummoned.

It seemed to Deacon that some abilities didn’t have levels and they were labeled with a capital R. “Did this mean it was a racial ability?” He wondered. Dragon Claw Barrage looked like it could level. He contemplated if that was the difference. Regardless he hasn’t touched Banshee’s Wail or Strike of the Phantasm Knight. Deacon also noted he had zero repercussions from use the strike last time. Maybe his new body protects him from the backlash now. He’d have to try it out some more. The Banshee’s Wail has a requirement of a specific hell just like Toxic Waste. He hasn’t tried the Tempest Plane since accessing it back at the Wode. He needed training time. A way to test out all of these abilities without causing an incident with the people around him.

The sun was starting to peak over the horizon, and he could now see the light refracting through the large crystals of the capital. The prismatic light spectrum bathed the countryside in rainbow light. He could now see dotted farmland and the approach of suburban sprawls that are often found outside of major cities. What was this going to be like? Deacon started putting together a plan. He just knew things were going to go tits up once he got into the city. They always do. The things on his check list include catching up to Mentalba, delivering his unique class and subclass to the slate at the guild hall, and most importantly meeting with Griffin King. He was not looking forward to that. That would be the worst possible time for his brand of mayhem to kick off. What looked like an honor guard was coming down the road on the opposite side. The horses in the front had standard bearers followed by a carriage and another team of horses behind them. The carriage stopped perpendicular to the ministers carriage. Some words were exchanged between the drivers with a piece of paper passing between the carriages. Then both sides separated and continued down the road.

Deacon was about to reach his carriage as the door opened. It was Tantus looking alarmed. Deacon hurriedly tried to close the distance. Tantus’s head was on a swivel. He spotted Deacon and waived him forward.

“What is wrong?” Deacon asked.

“Did you see anything magical happening out here?” Tantus asked in response.

“No. Just you popping your head out of the door like a prairie dog.” Deacon answered.

“I could have sworn I sensed some large magic spell going off. Incredibly powerful for me sense from here.” Tantus said sitting back down. Apparently, he had alarmed everyone in the carriage since they were all up and ready.

“I told you nothing was wrong.” Ralph said.

“You don’t know that. If I have learned anything since coming here, it’s that I know nothing for sure.” Deacon responded taking his seat.

“That doesn’t exactly paint you in the best light.” Ralph said.

“Never mind. I have news. Looks like some of the Dwellers are going to go on ahead without us. They got spooked by what Henry’s ghost said. Apparently, the Deep Well is close to the Dweller strong hold.” Deacon explained.

“That makes sense. Do you think Ruby will be there?” Amanda asked.

“I have a feeling she might be. All the more important that we get done with this business in the Cascade as soon as possible. I think we should drop our class details at the main guild hall, I’ll go meet with the King, and we’ll get a move on. Couple of problems though.” Deacon said.

“Like what?” Ralph asked not looking the least bit shocked.

“I can’t bring my bag with me to meet the king. Some kind of security issue. I propose we set us Alfred in the guild hall so I can leave it with him. Worst case scenario, if things go wrong, you can retrieve them and meet up with me.” Deacon said.

“When.” Said Tantus, Amanda, and Ralph simultaneously.

“Not funny guys. Let’s try to get out of the capital without incident.” Deacon said.

“Don’t look at us. You’re the one who keeps discovering ancient civilizations and underground organizations. Do you ever just visit a place?” Ralph said.

“If I recall correctly, I pulled your ass out of an underground organization.” Deacon shot back.

“You still haven’t explained how you did that.” Ralph replied with a devilish grin.

“Don’t want to talk about it.” Deacon said.

“Stop it boys, I think your plan to get in and out of the city as soon as possible is great. I think we should focus on that goal.” Amanda said.

“Also, Tantus. Can you replicate this?” Deacon asked handing over the bangle he got from Astrael. Tantus’s eyes bugged out of his head. He took the accessory gingerly in his hands and began to inspect it.

“But you earned this as a reward from Astrael.” Tantus said looking back up at Deacon.

“No, we earned it. I think she meant for you to figure it out and replicate it. She has never been straight forward with me, always with cryptic prophecies. I figure she wouldn’t give me a clear cut quest reward either. This will help us all if we run into more cursed cultists. Your subclass allows you to make holy arcanum items now, right? Now all you have to do is figure out the arcane requirements.” Deacon explained.

“Great. Looks like we have a plan.” Ralph said.

They finally made it to the Crystal Cascade proper after traveling through the outskirts. It had large gates with a standing guard force. Once the minister’s carriage made it to the gates, which appeared to be at least three stories tall and connected to the several yards thick outer wall, Wotan jumped out and spoke to the guards. All the carriages and wagons were pulled off to the side in a clear area were a wall of Knights were funneling the rest of the traffic by. Lord Pentecost hopped out and made his way to Deacon’s carriage. Deacon and his party had already exited to stretch their legs and get a look at the sprawling metropolis.

“This is where we part ways. A messenger will be sent for you at his majesty’s behest. I suggest you attend to it promptly. In the meantime, we have entered the city through the southern gate. Your guild hall will be in the central district where all four districts meet. Lord Desentes has been here before and can guide you. Please remember there will be no dimensional bags allowed within the walls of the castle. Please dress accordingly. If you do not have proper attire, please take this time to outfit yourself. I have duties to attend to and will see you at the palace. Wotan, back in the carriage.” Said Lord Pentecost as he sauntered away.

“Well he reverted back to his pompous self, didn’t he?” Ralph said leaning into Deacons ear.

“We have an understanding now. Who wants a drink? I’m buying.” Deacon asked.

“It’s first thing in the morning. Are you daft man?” Typhus responded sauntering up and swatting Deacon on his backside.

“I don’t know, I hear they make a pretty good bottle of wine here.” Deacon said with a mischievous grin.