The presence of taint may have been obvious, but there weren't many things that were obvious to Nina. At least Steyven made it clearer to her that it was there. "Has the Taint overtaken you? Will you allow us the opportunity to return you to your proper state if so?"
"...My corruption pains me... But my hunger pains me even more! Your companions smell delicious even at this distance, fresh and sweet, unlike the shitty underground dwellers that sometimes roam too nearby to my hall. If your friends come any closer, I don't know if I'll be able to contain myself anymore..."You notice that most if not all of the corpses on the room are undeads laying inert, but clearly ready to spring to action. Individually none seem like they could pose a threat to you, but if they mob you up all at the same time, they'll be a pain to deal with.
You remember having heard of the Chain Priests and Priestess, an order of the Magedom specialized in controling large groups of lesser undeads. They usually play the role of officers in armies, or taskmasters for civil projects. But it seems like sometimes they're sealed inside temples or underground along with their animated corpses. Permanently, never to be relieved of their duties. Many consider it an horrible punishment worse than destruction, reserved for talented chain priests that personally displeased an higher-up. Some consider it the ultimate honor a chain priestess can receive from the Magedom, to be trusted with the protection of a key area for all eternity.
The sound of metal striking stone can be heard from the tunnels behind.
The corpses in the room seem to be just that: inert bodies that pose no threat to you. At all.
You remember having heard of the Chain Priests and Priestess, an order of the Magedom specialized in controling large groups of lesser undeads. They usually play the role of officers in armies, or taskmasters for civil projects. But it seems like sometimes they're sealed inside temples or underground along with their animated corpses. Permanently, never to be relieved of their duties. Many consider it an horrible punishment worse than destruction, reserved for talented chain priests that personally displeased an higher-up. Some consider it the ultimate honor a chain priestess can receive from the Magedom, to be trusted with the protection of a key area for all eternity.
Either way, chain priestess aren't chosen for this kind of position for being weak. They're expected to have exceptional undead leadership qualities, and simultaneously to be quite talented in fighting with chains, their favored personal weapons. An higher ranking chain priestess can wield multiple chains simultaneously while coordinating her troops, in a blend of martial and magic prowess, slashing, tripping, entangling all those that come too close.
This Chain Priestess in particular seems to be Joana Magalhães, having served the Magedom for over 500 years and obtaining countless achievments, until finally having been destroyed in glorious combat against an overwhelming attack from the United Cities of Bragal. Or so the public records go, but alas, Tsukiyo knows that's a political lie, since Joana actually survived that battle, serving as the rearguard to allow other Magedom forces to escape, and only retreating herself when they were well out of view. However, before that she had displeased one of the sons of the Mage Lord of that time, rebuking his amorous advances (despite being undead, Joana was renowed for having been in a series of relationships with the living during her existence). Taking advantage that most tought she had fallen in battle, the son of the Mage Lord used his connections to get her chosen for being sealed under the village of Kaipo, so she could prevent any new incursions from underground races.
Joana has augmented her undead flesh over the centuries She's immune to cold and resistant against fire, acid, electricity and polymorph effects. She's also highly resistant against magic and can channel negative energy trough her melee attacks to inflict extra damage on the living and damage their constitution.
Her very close presence can make the meek panic, or the strong-willed shaken. It is said that if she gazes into your eyes, she can instantly learn your insecurities and whisper them during battle to unnerve you.
Joana's dead flesh will keep quickly reknit itself even during combat. Bludgeoning magic weapons should be more effective. However unless destroyed by a pure gold weapon tied with a royal eagle's feather, in an artic plateau, by a ranger, Joana will recover from complete destruction in a matter of days. If at least one of the conditons above is met, she'll take some months to return. If two, then she'll need years. If three, she'll be gone for centuries. The only way to put her to rest for good would be to meet all thre conditons in while in the negative energy plane.
A Chain Priestess is supposed to be able to keep her taint under control, as well as that of her minions, but something seems to have gone quite wrong down here.
The corpses in the room seem suspicious. Several of them seem like they could jump at you if you get too close.
The corpses in the room seem suspicious. Several of them seem like they could jump at you if you get too close.
The chain priestess however seems to be alive and well. You're certain that her purple skin is just some local fashion. She also seems like she could use an hug, it's probably a bit lonely down here. All the chains are just festive decoration according to the local traditions.
You notice that most if not all of the corpses on the room are undeads laying inert, but clearly ready to spring to action. Individually none seem like they could pose a threat to you, but if they mob you up all at the same time, they'll be a pain to deal with.
The sound of metal striking stone can be heard from the tunnels behind, as well as the faint sound of steps. There are definetely other moving creatures in the area behind the Chain Priestess.
The corpses in the room seem suspicious. Several of them seem like they could jump at you if you get too close.
You remember having heard of the Chain Priests and Priestess, an order of the Magedom specialized in controling large groups of lesser undeads. They usually play the role of officers in armies, or taskmasters for civil projects. But it seems like sometimes they're sealed inside temples or underground along with their animated corpses. Permanently, never to be relieved of their duties. Many consider it an horrible punishment worse than destruction, reserved for talented chain priests that personally displeased an higher-up. Some consider it the ultimate honor a chain priestess can receive from the Magedom, to be trusted with the protection of a key area for all eternity.
Either way, chain priestess aren't chosen for this kind of position for being weak. They're expected to have exceptional undead leadership qualities, and simultaneously to be quite talented in fighting with chains, their favored personal weapons. An higher ranking chain priestess can wield multiple chains simultaneously while coordinating her troops, in a blend of martial and magic prowess, slashing, tripping, entangling all those that come too close.
This Chain Priestess in particular seems to be Joana Magalhães, having served the Magedom for over 500 years and obtaining countless achievments, until finally having been destroyed in glorious combat against an overwhelming attack from the United Cities of Bragal some two centuries ago, or so the official records go.
Joana had been known to augment her undead flesh over the centuries. She's immune to cold and resistant against fire, acid, electricity. She's also resistant against magic and can channel negative energy trough her melee attacks to inflict extra damage on the living.
Her very close presence can make the meek panic, or the strong-willed shaken. It is said that if she gazes into your eyes, she can instantly learn your insecurities and whisper them during battle to unnerve you.
Joana's dead flesh will keep quickly reknit itself even during combat. Bludgeoning magic weapons should be more effective. However unless destroyed by a pure gold weapon tied with a royal eagle's feather, Joana will recover from complete destruction in a matter of days. Even if a gold weapon with a royal eagle's feather is used, she'll be back in some months.
The sound of metal striking stone can be heard from the tunnels behind, as well as the faint sound of steps. There are definetely other moving creatures in the area behind the Chain Priestess.