[Neraphym]

"Why hello there, Oric. How have you been lately?"

[Snowy]

OOC: I am the same alignment as him o.o

IC: Rhesal gets up and walks over to what appears to be a hole filled with rocks. He hears a battle going on down there and he grabs a large boulder and throws it out of the way, making an entrance. He jumps down and draws his Sword of Snow.

[Darkness]

Oric smiled, a not necessarily friendly smile, and didn't answer. Slowly walking down the remaining few steps, he spoke. "I can't say that I'm very surprised, however, your showing up does prove to me that you do have a bit of bravery. There was a part of me who suspected you to not appear!" The man gave a dark laugh as he said this. "And your killing of this creature also shows that you have some courage. Many have come down here and died, because they lost their nerve, and then it slaughtered them. Though you managed to kill it instead. You're the first one -- though that should seem obvious, or it would have been dead when you got here. Yes, very brave indeed..."

[Neraphym]

"Why thank you, Oric."

Neraphym trips over a skull.

"Ah, you weren't kidding! This is quite a strange place? How did you find it?"

An evil thought takes hold in Neraphym's mind. He has a strong desire to lash out and strike Oric. Returning to his senses, Neraphym quickly supresses the thought.

[Darkness]

"Why, I built it!" Oric laughs. "There was once a time when evil overtook me, and I felt the need to actively harm others. This was one of the products of that need. Why, this chamber was in fact designed to kill! That creature, I created it. It was so powerful... There were few in this world who had the strength to last minutes against it."

[Neraphym]

"Oh this house is yours... I took this staff from a treasury in the east hall. Some cinii, too."

[Darkness]

Oric's gaze went to the staff, and his eyes narrowed, though it was impossible to tell in the dim light if the look was angry or studious. "That staff..." His eyes drifted off for a few seconds. "That staff. A sorcerer wielded it once, the sorcerer who cursed me..." he murmured, though Neraphym managed to hear it anyway.

[Neraphym]

"What became of this sorceror and your curse?"

[Darkness]

Oric's eyes suddenly bolted to Neraphym, his eyes widened slightly, as if he hadn't realized what he'd said or that Neraphym had heard it. Then, he spoke in a grim voice, "In my anger, I killed him. The curse lifted. I took his staff." Though now I begin to believe his spirit still inhabits the damned thing...

[Neraphym]

"Do you wish to keep it? It is quite a powerful weapon in the right hands, but I don't quite think it is your speciality."

[Darkness]

Oric grinned. "No, it most definitely isn't the sort of thing I'd have any use for. You can keep it, if you'd like. Though beware the dark power within..." He had added the last part as an afterthought.

[Neraphym]

"Thank you. Well, now that I have proven the courage and resolve behind DASE, do you wish to join?"

[Darkness]

Oric folded his arms. "I still find the idea of leaving one of the highest command positions of the Ardent Squadron to join as a simple crewman, even a crewman on a ship as you describe, no where near plausible."

[Snowy]

"Yeah... that's real interesting and everything....but can we get on with this? Oric I want your sword. Plain and simple. It cool, literally."

[Neraphym]

"Actually, you won't have to quit the Ardent Squadren. Due to a turn of events and a slight bit of good fortune, DASE has drastically altered its course. This war is about to come to a close, and DASE is no longer seeking to put a permanent end to the wars in this galaxy. We feel secure in our beliefs that a lasting peace can be formed between the three powers. Instead, DASE is disbanding its fleet and returning to their respective powers. We have now focused all of our resources into the completion of this new ship."

Neraphym cracks his neck, realizing he is still a bit worn out from the battle.

"Our scientists have developed a new technology with which we can exit this galaxy. We have an entire universe to explore. A wealth of new knowledge and power will be at our fingertips. Once this war is over, the Ardent Squadren will no longer have a need for you, as will be the case with hundreds of high-ranking officers in all three powers. Many DASE members are already planning to resign their commissions for a spot on this historic voyage. Serving as a crewman on this mission will have rewards infinitely greater than piloting any ship."

Neraphym pauses again to catch his breath...

"Well, Oric? Will you come with me to the edges of the universe? There is so much to be done, and I need your help to do it."