Book 2: Chapter 2 - The Lady's Light

[ManWithDoor]

The ancient Clone looks at Rikkan, looking confused. "What are you talking about?" She reaches up to lift herself out of the coffin, then freezes, looking at her exposed arms. She then stares down, patting various areas in disbelief. "What in the Nine Hells? What happened to me? When did I get breasts?"

[JohnnyWeird]

Je furrows his brow, and glances with new eyes on the disinterred woman. His crystal glitters.

Zeevan, are you in her body? Can you hear me?

[Trogdor]

"I'm afraid you triggered an ancient enchantment and transferred your consciousness from your body into the lady's body," Rikkan replies. "That was the purpose of the preserved body, after all."

"Then again," he adds, "maybe you're actually a sleeping enchantress who drained our companion of his memories and is pretending to be him in order to lead us to our doom." The ratman shrugs. "Really no way of knowing at this point."

[ManWithDoor]

The woman waves her hand, thinking back to the psionic. Yes, yes, it's me, Je. This ... is going to take some getting used to.

[JohnnyWeird]

Visibly distressed, Je gestures to the body Zeevan so recently vacated.

Could it be as simple as touching your form of origin?

[AdamDaBomb11]

"This goes beyond anything I know. I've heard of phantasmal killers and other such spells. But have never seen one in person. I also have no way to reverse this new set of circumstances. It would seem to me that you are stuck like that. At least until we can find someone more knowledgeable." Oloven gives 'Zeevan' a wry smile. "I dont know how you will ever manage until then."

[Eilandor]

Fletcher is not as quick to trust the situation as he levels the tip of his greatsword to the woman's chest. "Impostor! Tell us something that only Zeevan would know! Do it, do it now!" Fletcher doesn't raise his voice very often, yet when he does, little else matters but his inquiry.

[Trogdor]

Rikkan shrugs. "Not that it will do much good," he mutters. "If she's an imposter, she's drained Zeevan of his memories. She'll know everything Zeevan knew."

[AdamDaBomb11]

Oloven looks a bit surprised at Fletcher's sudden outburst, but doesn't stop him. He has a good point. They should not be so quick to trust.

[JohnnyWeird]

Je rolls his eyes.

Fletcher is correct to be skeptical. Mind switching is complex and puissant trickery, whereas lying is simple and evergreen. I am compelled to point out, however, that I can extend the telepathic network to its brain, which is difficult, if not impossible, to maintain with an undead mind.

Rikkan also makes a valid point. I find the psychic resonance of this...woman...indistinguishable from Zeevan's, but in a case like he mentions that may also be fabricated.

We are left with a conscious being that is likely, but not certainly, our friend. In Riedra we speak of the Traitor's Gambit, where betrayal is rational in the face of uncertainty. But a case like this is unprecedented.

Zeevan, what would you do in our place?