//Nice to see you're familiar with your Lovecraft, Xorlak - but the guy's name is Ryleh, like Rylee - not Rlyeh, after the mythical city. Takes an obsessive maniac like myself to spot that (I specifically checked the way you spelled it)\
Cain scratched his head.
-"That's a very... interesting problem you have, Mr. Eldridge. However, they who will search will find what they need, am I not correct? There's always a solution. In your case, we must first find a suitable body. Due to the advances in both the science of Necromancy and magic in general, you can choose any body at all. For scientific matters, though, it is best to remain in human form. However, we do have several bodies at our disposal. Here's one, hauled in from a place called Vandrin County just several hours ago."
The Scribe pulled a stack of papers from a cabinet below the table. The papers landed on the table with a loud thud.
-"This is what we call the Varanus hominidatus C - an unique beast, gathered from the Dark Empire. They refer to them as 'Lizard Men', probably grown en masse in hatcheries. Their digits are thin enough to operate fine machinery, while their strength surpasses that of five humans. They also proved resistant to most venoms and poisons we attempted using on them. This particular strain appears to have been created for a shorter duration, but lifespan will not be a problem due to the Necromantic magic you'll have in yourself. Take a look."
Cain handed over a series of detailed drawings of a Lizard Man, from every side and dissected. He shuffled through the papers some more.
-"There's also the possibility of encasing your mind within a golem, though we have not begun their mass construction yet, due to the lack of raw materials. I'm sure we'd be able to get some for your own body, though. The good thing about golems is that they're completely customizable, and have some magic conduction capability. The bad thing... well, they need a charge. While it is possible to put all sorts of glyphs on the golem to extend the charge, eventually you'll need to come back to Gros Morne to replenish your power supply. The benefits are endless, though. Golems can be created out of any material at all, any size you want them to be, and so on. They're also quite hard to kill - not only because they are built of a sturdier material than flesh, but also because if they do happen to be defeated, all that needs to be done to revive them is to replenish their charge - and you're good to go again. This would be my personal pick, were it up to me."
Taking a pause, the Scribe put away the papers back to where he took them.
-"Finally, you have the option of becoming one of the Sovereign's undead human minions. I'm sure that with your intelligence and importance, the Sovereign would have no problem with leaving your free will intact. The benefits: you become practically indestructible, you never age, and, if the Sovereign desires so, your flesh will not deteriorate. The catch: You are ultimately completely dependable on the Sovereign; therefore, in the highly unlikely situation that the Sovereign dies, so do you."
-"Anyways, I will leave you to your decision. See that glyph over there, by the wall?" Indeed, Cain pointed to a glowing sigil etched in the stone floor. "Step inside, and you will be teleported to your room. Since we don't have much unoccupied space without any unlife to discomfort you, your quarters are located within the Citadel itself. You may notice the lack of a door - but instead, you will find a glyph like the one over there. In its middle, there's an empty space. Chalking a destination in the center will redirect the portal to that location, so long as it is in Gros Morne. Meanwhile, I will consult the Sovereign on your situation. Remember, though, that your new form is entirely up to you."
--- ---
-"Given enough imagination, one can find many uses for unlife as a building material. For example, if my city was under attack, the buildings themselves can retaliate. Or, if I choose so, they will run to a new location."
I suppressed an urge to flinch when the energy entity made my wine glass vanish. Note to self: train mages to do that sort of thing. Pouring myself a glass of white wine, I eyed the creature. The energy barrier was still intact, but it might be able to perform physical attacks. Good, because those can't hurt me.
-"Pleasure meeting you, gentlemen. I am Kronos, the Sovereign of Kandarin."
I wonder if Draven remembered me as Marshal? Probably not.
-"Anyways, Retan." I ceremonially put my glass back on the table. "You are right, he's becoming somewhat of a mild obstacle in the way of my conquest of the world. Mostly because I really don't have much to fight him with. As you can imagine, swarming a Draken with even hundreds of thousands of undeads won't solve much."
-"On the flip side, I don't see him as a threat right now. So tell me - why do you want him dead?"
