A Study On Undead, Vol. One: Dealing With Gravens

[spqrSancus 175]

     The entire book seems to glow eerily, and is cold as ice. Those who have met either the Hunter or Warden might recognize it as a very toned down version of the spectral fire that composes their being. What might once have been ink, burns now as cold as ice's bite. ((Currently, only one two copies exists, and are in the hands of Ser Rick Felder, and the Frost Druid Dain. If either of you two pass this book on or have it copied, please send me a PM.))

     The book begins. ((Each line of dashes signify new page.))

 

     Graven are some very dangerous creatures. Indeed, they killed my parents in my childhood, sparking my career as the once famous ghost hunter, James Lawrence. I have fought many in my time, but as I embark on yet another journey to slay yet another of these foul beasts, I cannot help but wonder if this will be my last. And as such, I am going to leave this book for you, to carry on my duty.
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The Graven Itself

     From my travels, and my studies, I have learnt much of these foul beings. Graven are what remains of those who were steadfast in fulfillment of task or ideal in life. They are singularly devoted to this task or ideal, and in order to remain manifest, they must complete it over and over again. They must complete this for all eternity, and if they do not, they receive great pain.
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Detection of a Graven

      There are a great many ways to know when a Graven is manifest. They often emit cold, laugh insanely. There might be footprints appearing in the snow. The rattling of chains, and other various sounds, all different according to their tasks and ideals. A Graven can seem to be composed of an ice cold fire (Never hot fire. Hot fire means you're dealing with a fire elemental), of darkness, or even of

 

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flesh. Some are transparent as in popular belief and superstition. However, no matter the appearance, they are only semi corporeal, and flesh will never reach them. In order to grab a Graven, you must grab it by coat or armour. To attempt to touch the Graven itself might freeze your hand into a block of ice.
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Killing a Graven

    A Graven, unlike other spirits and ghosts, does not require gold nor ritual to kill. Ordinary metals such as iron and steel are just as deadly and far more practical to be used However, a Graven may only be killed, and not harmed. To stab a Graven in it's arm or in it's leg is useless. Graven feel no pain, and such a blow will only shorten the time afore it demanifests. A Graven can be demanifested

 

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instantaneously in the usage of Holy Water, such that can be found by the blessing of cleric, priest, or the Graven known as Bishop. Orcs are highly resistant to a Graven's stare, due to their bloodlust. As such, few Graven hunting parties would leave without one.
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Here, a few things seem to have changed...

 

Graven Abilities

    A Graven has a multitude of remarkable abilities. The first is the common ability (albeit not used by all Graven) to create a form of spectral fire, recognized by their blue green hues, upon manifestation. Such is only used in manifestation or demanifestation, and is meant not to harm, but to give the Graven some time and space to prepare after manifestation or being struck by a fatal blow. If someone

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stands too close to the Graven, however, they shall be knocked unconscious by the force of the cold. The second is of course the ability shared by Ghosts (Do note that this is no longer true, and for some reason, their powers have faded further), Apparitions, and Graven alike. The ability to fade and become invisible is shared by all, allowing a Graven to generate fear, uncertainty, doubt, and to hide.

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And finally, the most dangerous ability of the Graven is the Stare, shared by all. The Stare will lock a mortal into it's gaze, and in 5 seconds or less may drive a mortal insane, for two days or more. Each Graven has it's own brand of stare, a special kind, that will affect certain others more than another, and affect them in certain ways.

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Graven Specific Abilities

 

     At a Graven's full strength, he or she may manifest some greater powers, rendering them yet more dangerous. These abilities are often Graven specific, and only have limited use, and range from the remote control of a weapon from a short distance, to a small scale blast of cold to knock a person back. Again, much of these are Graven specific, and often relate to their task.

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At this page, the letters seem to have shifted, and a new Graven's name is visible at the bottom of the list.

 

List of Graven in Order of Date of Manifestation and Their Tasks

 

 

The Eldest Graven, the Warden of Lost souls: To take the souls of murderers and thieves and torment them forever in the prison of his lantern.

The Elder Graven, the Hunter of the Damned: To hunt the undead wherever they may be found.

The Third, The Bloodied Cavalier: To deliver the news of Death to whomever he should so choose.

The Fourth, The Lonely Druid: To keep balance in nature.

The Former Fifth, The Stalker, The Following Shadow: To find his lost lover. Sealed by unknown entity.

The Fifth, Retribution: To fix political corruption, and hold people to their word.

The Sixth, The Bishop: To rid the world of heretics, those who dishonour or spread heresy about the Creator, or any who believe in other gods.

The Seventh, The Highwayman, The Groundskeeper:  To diminish and even end the crimes of the world.

The Eigth, The Crucified Gravekeeper: To bury the bodies of the dead.

The Ninth, The Guardian of Laughter, the Spectator Clown: To make others laugh, whether by choice or by force.

The Tenth, The Scorch: To dishonour the living, to bathe in flames.

The Eleventh, The Spectral Bard: To create the 'Perfect Song.'

The Twelth, The Final, The Phantom Doctor: To attempt to help the sick or injured.

 

The following pages are not attached to the book, newer and seem to have sprouted overnight.

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NOTE: As can be seen by the list of Graven tasks, not all Graven are in fact evil, but simply willing to do anything to complete their tasks. As such, the free races are often caught in the

crossfire and killed.

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Past Powers

 

    Ages ago, from the times of Aegis, the Graven were far more powerful than they were today, able to possess people and speak to them mind to mind without making eye contact and inducing the Graven Stare (Previous attempts to communicate via Graven Stare in both modern ages and past have often but not always resulted in the insanity often induced in making contact with the

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inner soul), but these powers faded with the destruction of Aegis and the First Fading of spectral kind. They were able to manifest longer, and could not be killed by a multitude of smaller injuries as they were now, only able to be killed with a truly fatal blow.

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[_Grim1_ 28]

Dayum skippy.

 

- _Grim1_

[The Fact Core 511]

The lonely Druid feels a disturbance in the Nature

 

(( I feel like the only real friendly graven, because Hunter is a bad boy who kills me without a reason!!! , go on and make a study on Apparitions woot!!!))

[ToenailTickler 290]

(( Ghosts > Gravens ))

Wilzen the Haunt happily floats about in his new home, also called Khel's tattoo parlor.

[spqrSancus 175]

((Yeah, well, Apparitions as well as generic undead will be coming around soon. Also, a second book has now been bequeathed to the druii, in the hands of the Frost Druid Dain as I know. Also, could an FM come around and put this into roleplay? I was rushing so I put it in human RP. Would be greatly appreciated.))

 

Strangely, the book seems to have grown in the time you have had it. Opening it up, you might find a few new pages, neatly tucked in but not quite attached to the book itself. ((Getting on this change in a mo, need to take care of some OOC stuffs first Done.))

 

((PS: <3 you Lalve. Wouldn't put a golden sword in your Graven's guts if I didn't! Spirit kind 4eva! ))

((PPS: Stalker is now 'sealed,' as an RP reason for his 'PK.' Until such is resolved, he will remain as such.))

((PPPS: A new Graven has arisen to take the Stalker's place. Please welcome the Phantom Doctor!))

 

A couple of months later, you open the book. And at first glance nothing might have changed... But if you took the time to read the list of Graven once more, you'll notice that there is a new Graven at the bottom of the list, and all Graven numbered titles from the Fifth and up have changed...