Luc's unconscious discussion

All is dark and silent. Unnaturally silent. Not even the sound of Lucretia's breath or heartbeat can be heard, and there is no sensation at all - Lucretia can't even feel his body. And then there is a voice in the silence, a rich smooth cultured voice that seem to sound from very close by in the darkness. "So tell me Lucretia Trollcleaver... What is it that you fear about death? Loneliness? Lack of physical sensation perhaps? I know how much you revel in the pleasures of the flesh..."

Frightened Luc calls out to the voice, "who's there... my friends will find me, help me! I'm not helpless... you'll see what I can do once I get up! I must be dreaming... aaaaarghh!!!" Luc yells out from the frustration of feeling a combination of helplessness and loneliness.

"You know me Lucretia" replies the calm voice. "I am what stands between you and an eternity of this, nothingness."

"No... wait... are you the brooch? help me out here... you an me we're a team... I am invulnerable with you!"

"Invulnerable? Not quite - even I can't make you completely invulnerable. But I can keep you from passing to the beyond, if that is what you mean." Again he chuckles, a reassuring almost comforting sound. "You are a powerful warrior, hugely courageous, that much is evident. I foresee a great future for one such as you, and I have many other gifts that could provide you with great power... if you are so inclined to accept them..."

"Yes... yes, give me it. I want the power to smite all who stand againt me!"

Lucretia gets the mental image of the unseen being nodding approvingly. "Desiring more power to destroy your foes is wise, and I can give you the means to obtain that power" comes the reply. "But remember, with power comes responsibility" he adds in a cautionary tone.

There is a pause for a moment, and then the voice continues. "In the town of Sundarbar, there lives a man who wields a sword that would give you more power to smite those who stand against you. The man is not what he seems, as he is secretly a priestess of Loviatar, the lesser power of pain and suffering, and has caused much evil in the area. Seek him out, unmask him for the evil woman he really is, and your reward will be the sword he/she wields."

"Yes! Yes! I'l find your man... er woman for you! How bout some help now?" Luc asks his spirits heightened.

"Patience Trollcleaver, for you will return to your bonds of your flesh all too soon. Be not so eager to rush back to the fight, else you will find yourself returned to this darkness yet again. All good things come to those who wait, as they say." Again there is the warm chuckle. "As for the Loviatan, she pretends to be the right hand man of Helm Dwarf-friend - Sundabar's ruler. She is so confident in her subterfuge, she even goes by the name of Naip Grinber!" Lucretia can detect the scorn in the voice, and realises there must be something significant about that name. "If you have trouble finding her - speak to your healer - he knows about Loviatans."

Luc is no longer hysterical as the voice is somewhat soothing. He even becomes calculating, "sure I'll take care of it... have to convince the others to go with me though."

"I'm sure you'll find a way..." replies the voice. "Perhaps now would be a good time to help them again" it adds. Lucretia feels a burst of heat in his chest area, and the darkness and voice disappear as he is lurched back to painful consciousness.