Dermanassian did not think he would ever grow accustomed to the culture of
the Suti. But over the years that he intermittently studied with them, he learned
to tolerate it and even – despite his initial doubts – mastered most of their
necromantic arts. He used mementos to summon spirits, mostly Suti ancestors.
They, of course, were happy to respond to the call of a Suti (or simply Suti-
trained) necromancer. It was a chance for them to get news of their living
relatives and bring gossip back beyond the Po Divide. Other spirits, however,
did not respond so willingly and his command of necromantic forces was tested
time and again.
After realizing that the desert elves had been turned into frightful groaners by
Risaa the Whisperer, Gana no longer suggested that Dermanassian summon one
of the desert elves, even a soul who had perished naturally, long before the
Whisperer's appearance. Yet death was such a part of Suti life and culture that
Gana did not understand the very suggestion of raising any desert elf was an
anathema to Dermanassian, whose nature and culture viewed these raisings as
revulsion. Even summoning a Suti spirit was distasteful, lessened only
minimally by those spirits' cheerfulness at being called. But Dermanassian did
not have the words to explain to his host these feelings nor the full reason for his
commitment to master necromancy in spite of those feelings. Instead, he said
little and pursued his studies with vigilance, reassuring himself that this fearful
art would further his pursuit for justice upon the murder of his people and those
who would use him to murder others. And he accompanied Mousehawk on her
hunts as often as possible, always in the hope of freeing another desert elf from
ravaging purgatory.
Then finally, there was one final testing among the Suti, reserved only for the
most talented and daring of necromancers. Dermanassian studied the sparse
information on the ritual for weeks before approaching Gana about performing
it.
"Yentu," the Suti greeted, shifting his lacquered mask upon his pudgy face and
laying his small cloth-bound book upon his desk. He spoke with patience and
concern once Dermanassian outlined his idea. "Do you understand truly what it
means to perform this rite?"
"I do."
Gana continued as if Dermanassian had not spoken. "Even the Suti do not
perform it lightly. None has attempted it in years. To meet the Boatman, to strip
away your faces until you have revealed to him your true one, to give him true
your name before it is time," Gana shook his head vigorously, jingling the
polished stones decorating his hair. "You know that the living who cross the Po
Divide can cross back only at the leisure of the Boatman. You open yourself to
an eternity of living death, held at the mercy of the merciless. Most do not
return from the attempt."...
the Suti. But over the years that he intermittently studied with them, he learned
to tolerate it and even – despite his initial doubts – mastered most of their
necromantic arts. He used mementos to summon spirits, mostly Suti ancestors.
They, of course, were happy to respond to the call of a Suti (or simply Suti-
trained) necromancer. It was a chance for them to get news of their living
relatives and bring gossip back beyond the Po Divide. Other spirits, however,
did not respond so willingly and his command of necromantic forces was tested
time and again.
After realizing that the desert elves had been turned into frightful groaners by
Risaa the Whisperer, Gana no longer suggested that Dermanassian summon one
of the desert elves, even a soul who had perished naturally, long before the
Whisperer's appearance. Yet death was such a part of Suti life and culture that
Gana did not understand the very suggestion of raising any desert elf was an
anathema to Dermanassian, whose nature and culture viewed these raisings as
revulsion. Even summoning a Suti spirit was distasteful, lessened only
minimally by those spirits' cheerfulness at being called. But Dermanassian did
not have the words to explain to his host these feelings nor the full reason for his
commitment to master necromancy in spite of those feelings. Instead, he said
little and pursued his studies with vigilance, reassuring himself that this fearful
art would further his pursuit for justice upon the murder of his people and those
who would use him to murder others. And he accompanied Mousehawk on her
hunts as often as possible, always in the hope of freeing another desert elf from
ravaging purgatory.
Then finally, there was one final testing among the Suti, reserved only for the
most talented and daring of necromancers. Dermanassian studied the sparse
information on the ritual for weeks before approaching Gana about performing
it.
"Yentu," the Suti greeted, shifting his lacquered mask upon his pudgy face and
laying his small cloth-bound book upon his desk. He spoke with patience and
concern once Dermanassian outlined his idea. "Do you understand truly what it
means to perform this rite?"
"I do."
Gana continued as if Dermanassian had not spoken. "Even the Suti do not
perform it lightly. None has attempted it in years. To meet the Boatman, to strip
away your faces until you have revealed to him your true one, to give him true
your name before it is time," Gana shook his head vigorously, jingling the
polished stones decorating his hair. "You know that the living who cross the Po
Divide can cross back only at the leisure of the Boatman. You open yourself to
an eternity of living death, held at the mercy of the merciless. Most do not
return from the attempt."...
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| The Shores of Limbo Rise of a Necromancer, Part 4 By SC Bryce |
Publication History |
Readers' Comments |
"Truly excellent..." "Very cool..." "Terrific characters..." "A joy to read..." "Very intriguing..." "Great descriptions..." 'Very strong..." "Fresh..." "I really enjoyed reading this..." "Well played..." 'Very compellingly written..." "Well handled..." "The mythology is extremely well developed and seems to contain a nice blend of original ideas and existing death-related mythology..." "Your description is always very good..." "Eerie..." "Scary..." "I just want to read more!" |
First Printing:
Flashing Swords, Vol. 2, Issue 9,
(Winter 2008), at
www.SwordandSorcery.org.
Flashing Swords, Vol. 2, Issue 9,
(Winter 2008), at
www.SwordandSorcery.org.
Review |
| "Part four of SC Bryce's series about Dermanassian the desert elf, "The shores[sic] of Limbo", is the best episode yet. Unexpected danger, or rather danger in an unexpected form, is overcome not by brawn or swordplay but by psychological reasoning as Derma[na]ssian achieves freedom for his people..." Blogger Dan Nelson, on The Shores of Limbo. |
| Impatient? Jump to... |
| ...also on this Page! |