Dane left The Crooked Library. Headed back to The White Beard he stumbled on a scene. Near the end of the Eastern district there was a growing crowd. Several guards with flask were pouring this strange glinting water on something. He growing curious joined the crowd. When he got to the forefront.
He was surprised to find a corpse. Frost bitten in dark matted armor. The chest piece seemed rusted. A broken sword still in its grasp. Two guards stood over this corpse pouring this water on its body, another knelt bringing out a small match box.
"Isnt it illegal to vandalize the dead?" He asked openly. Startled by the clear sign of destroying it. A third guard keeping the crowd at a respectable distance glanced up. Noting Dane's attire he guessed outsider.
"Yes, by law no dead shall be vandalized. However this is an undead corpse. If it is not doused in blessed water and burned it could get up within an hour after slaying it." He explained without sugar costing it. "It is practice. Do not interfere"
Dane ever so curious asked. "How did it get in the city?" And the guard was prompt and curt. "No idea. Could be sewers, ruins, or other ways. Invidivia under the soil is a mountain of bodies it is not uncommon to see the dead out and about. Keep your wits about you outsider and move along"
Dane, seeing the conversation ended nodded and stepped away. Moving on. This didn't deter the crowd; they watched the scene long after he left.
Undead in the city, ancient history, mythical city array, floating death monoliths, a forgotten magic guild and more.. this city certainly had its lore.. if this is all public… he could not dream what its true secrets were. The knowledge that wasn't public. It made him feel a deep chill. Like staring at a still depthless lake.
Meeting back up at White Beard Dane only found Darren present. "Where are these others?" Dane asked. Darren had been leaning against the wall near the stairs. "They are going to get an emblem made. Me and you however need to go reforge your sword and get you started on cultivation." Darren said, having recalled the state of Danes' sword.
Waving to follow, Darren stepped out for the tavern. Dane followed, in their travel Darren explained.
"There is a tradition within Swords Of Sanquilius. To join is to shed the old and become the new. To forge a blade in rebirth, to build the body from ruin. That is the path to a saint" Darren said the quote of the guild with reverence.
"That is an interesting motto. Care to break it down?" He asked curiously. And Darren was by all means happy to do so. "Because many outside of Invidivia don't use cultivation, impurities build up leading to shorter lifespan, and a decay of potential and martial strength. Best known as mortal.
Hence cultivation can purge those impurities, bring balance back to a pure body and allow your potential to be stimulated. Until you either become a saint or hit the potential you're supposed to reach." Darren explained calmly trying to relay this all in a digestible manner.
"Reforging your sword on the other hand is due to another long believed tradition in Swords Of Sanquilius. The sword is the spirit, the body that uses it is the mind. Sync them and you shall find sword qi.
That's the idea and many still do to this day believe or know their swords have a spirit. You've used yours for a long time. The evidence is there to reforge it as you reforge yourself is a leap for both you and your sword need to be on the same path. Never lacking behind, always at the same pace." Darren said seriously.
"First we will deal with getting you started on cultivation" he said pointing towards a herbal shop. Dane confused had to ask. "What can a herbal shop help with in regards?" He asked.
"Cultivation requires resources. The stronger you are, the more expensive it is. Right now your needs are gonna be cheap in the future? Not so much." He said. Bringing Dane into the shop. The shopkeeper smiled. "How can I help you esteemed customers?" Darren already prepared, asked. "Please prepare a month's worth of tiger blood root and bone tempering powder" the shopkeeper nodded without preamble and stepped into the back.
Darren turned to Dane. "Tiger blood root is a flower. It's used for tea. Crush it up every morning and drink it. Only a few pedals will do. Make sure you do this after a bone tempering bath. Just take one and endure. They are painful. Unless you want to use two baths, one for the bone tempering and one to wash off the impurities." Darren said, shrugging. "The tiger blood root will purge the build up and the bone tempering will stimulate your stagnate blood qi, giving you the grounds to cultivate. Do this for a month. I'll come check up on you at the end of the month" he said smiling.