Soul Shield

Art Statistics
Focus:	Dreamsoul
Cost:	20
Orbit Required:	40
Affected:	Target
Duration:	2 minutes

Plateau Effect

Duration increased by 2 minutes.

Art History

Rediscovery as told by the Sacred Band

Barachus slept safely inside his personal cocoon. Suddenly, the trembling brought him to consciousness and he soon fell to the ground. Free to walk around for the first time in ages, he began to seek out the cause for disturbance and discovered Valerius. Valerius had been testing an ancient art in hopes to bring it back to life. This art so powerful, it had shaken the walls on Evernight Plateau so greatly that an ancient sleeping Overscanners was awakened. Now understanding more of how he came to be back in the City of Underlight, Barachus began to wander the City.

He soon found his way to Threshold Pits where he ran into an old acquaintance. Met by surprise and shock by the ancient member of the Entropy Coalition the Overscanners quickly brought all in the room up to speed on how he had survived. It was at this time that 'Wyrmgrim, of the Entrophy Coalition, offered the assistance of his Sacred Band. Barachus gladly accepted any and all help he could receive for he knew the City was in danger of having the same catastrophe occur that made him form his own cocoon and save his soul. The Sacred Band gathered with Barachus at a meeting in The Unknown Library and learned more in detail of the dreaded flux of chaos that had destroyed the City during the Great Loss. They learned more of how Barachus formed his cocoon and how he desired to take this knowledge and create a new art that could save every dreamer from the Chaos that is to come.

The members of the Sacred Band were a mere five at the beginning: guardDog, Jolly, Folko, Purple Lace, and Intrigue. A full house of capabilities, three Dreamseers and two Gatekeepers or three ladies and two gentlemen, no matter how you sliced it. On this fated night in The Unknown, however, Chaos prevailed and removed the two gents from the equation, leaving the ladies to work and listen to the ancient Overscanners. Following the meeting the Sacred Band gathered again. Studies were underway. Debates occurred and finally a theory arose.

Their quest to assist Barachus and have a full report back to the Pinnacle, 'Wyrmgrim, on the sixth day was done. Excitement filled the Master Hall of Threshold Pits as the Sacred Band and other dreamers gathered. All were awaiting the arrival of 'Wyrmgrim and Barachus. 'Wyrmgrim showed as scheduled to lead his Sacred Band. It was soon decided with the urgency of creating the new art that the testing would begin, with or without Barachus. Chaos had prevailed once again and had held the Overscanners at bay. Caring for his entire Sacred Band equally, 'Wyrmgrim decided each should draw lots to see who would stand the trial of the formation of the new art around them.

Every member of the Sacred Band drew lots. More had been added beyond the original five and they drew as well. Destiny pointed to Jolly, a simple Gatekeeper who would give her soul easily to save others. But, had any other of the Sacred Band won the lot, she knows they too would easily give themselves to save others. Thus being the special bond that holds the Sacred Band together. They are not one alone but one in spirit. Every one in the Master Hall took their cue from 'Wyrmgrim when he began his pulling of Lucidity and aiming it towards the Gatekeeper. Jolly was doused with many layers of protective arts. Her pack full of good quality shields and dreamSoul elemens.

The fire grew very hot as it encased her form. An unexpected scream escaped her lips then was quickly covered by embarrassment. The next wave of searing pain caused her to bite through her lip to try to save herself from screaming, but the pain so great it escaped into the hall. Havoc erupted quickly. The walls began to shake and the experiment was invaded by two Darkmares, Tzayak and Hatch'kor. All the dreamers were attacked. Many left a mere Soulsphere trying to warn the others to watch their backs. guardDog took down Hatch'kor and had Tzayak to near dissolution. Chakram fire was prevalent.

'Wyrmgrim held his concentration and continued to direct his powers of Lucidity upon the Gatekeeper, but suddenly was collapsed. Jolly's sensation of pain subsided as the adrenaline overcame her and she was instinctively using her skill in switching to fresh shields and healing herself with Dreamsoul elemens the entire time of the Darkmares attack and the Lucidity guided by 'Wyrmgrim as well as the added danger of friendly fire. She found herself assisting guardDog in defeating Tzayak. The Darkmares defeated and many of the dreamers now restored, 'Wyrmgrim checked the progress of the interrupted experiment. The creation of Soul Shield had failed. Time to conduct normal business with dignity was the new order. This experiment over but not forgotten brought the Sacred Band together on the next sixth day. All were pleasantly surprised by the entrance of Barachus into the Master Hall.

Time to try again. Quietly, Barachus quizzed Jolly on how 'Wyrmgrim had proceeded during the last attempt. He then made some changes in the formulation of Soul Shield and told 'Wyrmgrim it was time to try again. Standing ready for the worst, the Dreamers concentrated on Barachus and 'Wyrmgrim. Doing all they could to assist as well as protect. The last remaining member of the Entropy Coalition felt the sting of Chaos approaching and raised his ring hand, fist clenched, in a gesture of defiance. Then he turned to the Barachus and said, "Now, Overscanners...we will see...how durable ...you are..." Soon 'Wyrmgrim's form glimmered red from head to foot. From the sores and scars on his old face sprouted spring shoots of fire, spreading rapidly until he became a seemingly column of fire. The intense concentration this feat took on 'Wyrmgrim was evident for he quickly rasped, "Whatever you will do... do it soon." Barachus replied, "If I fail...it is probably not possible..." The Overscanners closed his eyes to increase his concentration. 'Wyrmgrim opened his mouth and sent a torrent of energy springs forth to engulf Barachus from head to foot.

Guided by his determination Barachus created a mist of pinkish DreamSoul springs around himself, mixing it with the fire, stopping it from touching him. Then a peculiar stench filled the air. Its pungent reek of old corruption tore at the eyes and throats of all with vile vigor. 'Wyrmgrim increased his concentration and his fires burned hotter yet, its violence threatening to undo the stones about him. Barachus trembled and contorted his face as the strain was evident while he forced more power into the growing shell. Tendrils of darkness seeped from the stone ceiling, twisting and writhing, seeming almost to coalesce into horned horrors before they changed again. Then they sought out the Overscanners. A low rumble was heard and the ground began to lightly shake, the force increasing as the sound grew louder.

Barachus wiped his brow reflexively and tried his best to hold his concentration and keep his balance at the same time. The colors of the wall bled and ran together as the sickening sense of vertigo surrounded all present. One could notice that around Barachus a golden shell fought the attack. The stone paving bucked and withered, accompanied by an ear splitting cacophony of tortured rock. The great 'Wyrmgrim was pulled from the Underlight. Barachus swayed as the mist of the shield seemed to wax and wane. The walls of the Master Hall split open. Jolly noticed the seam go from solid to abyss as Talesskar entered and began to fire upon Barachus, giving him dose after dose of pure chaos.

guardDog was on Talesskar in the blinking of an eye. Talesskar tried to break the room’s concentration on Barachus by deafening all and firing upon them as well. guardDog hunted Talesskar from the Master Hall while the other Gatekeeper, Jolly and Lord Omnipotus ran outside to secure the Master Hall with wards. Hoping to keep the disruption to a minimum so Barachus could complete his work. Back inside the Master Hall all are once again able to concentrate on the Overscanners. Chaos eases. guardDog has defeated Talesskar. 'Wyrmgrim is loosed from chaos and reenters the Master Hall himself. The chaos surged with the collapse of the Darkmares while the shield flared with it but then the Overscanners crumpled to the floor.

Barachus lay unmoving. Intrigue knelt beside him while Meylia assisted by cradling his head. 'Wyrmgrim studied the Overscanners coolly while many in the crowd wondered if he was still alive. 'Wyrmgrim notices the slow unsteady rise of Barachus' chest and says, "He should be a smear on the floor..." Just then Barachus coughed softly and his eyelids began to flutter. Intrigue assures all that the Overscanners will be fine. guardDog questioned 'Wyrmgrim why he believed Barachus should be a smear on the floor. And 'Wyrmgrim replies about the strong force that struck the Master Hall. With that mentioned, the room began to regain its old form as the Chaos receded. The floor began to settle back and the colors redefining themselves.

Barachus then opened his eyes. Intrigue's warmth had fused to Barachus and aided him to consciousness. 'Wyrmgrim states that he believes the Soul Shield must have been formed. Slowly, in response, Barachus coughed and sat up. He then closed his eyes and began to evoke. Barachus then told all present, "Yes, I think it is done." Smiles crossed the faces of those present. Fear lifted from many hearts. Concern and worry creases left many brows. But suddenly, Jolly notices a rip yet left in the wall near the North Meeting Room and says it aloud. 'Wyrmgrim's ring hand flickered with ruby fire...the seam healed itself.

A few days later Intrigue and Purple Lace were attending the meeting of the FreeSpirits and were pleasantly surprised by the arrival of Barachus. Without warning, each had the Soul Shield evoked upon them. Shock was quickly overcome by curiosity as the two Dreamseers quickly began extensive experimentation with the effects of the art. Adjourning to the bottom of the bloody Lake of Tears, the ladies evoked all of their arts upon themselves and each other. Both were quite astonished to find that the art of Mind Blank was rendered useless while wearing the Soul Shield. Using Mind Blank first could avert this, then having the Soul Shield layered afterwards. After some modifications by Barachus, this snag had been corrected and proven to work during later testing in the Chasm.

Notes

Prevents the use of Mind Blank on a dreamer.

Reference: http://www.angelfire.com/ab7/dranak/Arts/arts-dreamsoul.htm#SS