Mage's Attunement

After submitting his request and providing the retainer fee, they discreetly guided him through a separate exit, ensuring the utmost secrecy. Emerging from the exit, Thornwood wasted no time in leaving the bustling confines of the black market, lest his sudden absence raise suspicions within the Church.

Thornwood had taken every precaution to ensure the secrecy of his actions. He emerged from the concealed exit of The Nightshade Legacy, his identity still veiled in shadows.

Swiftly, he made his way out of the bustling black market, disappearing into the crowded streets of Crest City. It was imperative that no one would suspect his involvement in the clandestine dealings of the underworld.

In a narrow alley, he shed his distinctive black robe, leaving it crumpled and forgotten in the darkness. Now dressed in his customary ecclesiastical attire, he moved through the city with the air of a faithful servant of the Church, his true intentions hidden from all who might cast a suspicious eye his way.

Back at the Church, Thornwood resumed his duties with unwavering devotion, attending to his daily responsibilities and maintaining an appearance of piety. He knew that patience was his greatest ally now, and he waited with bated breath for the news of the artifact's arrival.

Two days later, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the city settled into a hushed evening, a discreet delivery found its way into the heart of the Church. Hidden beneath a basket of fruits, the artifact was nestled within a wooden box lined with velvet—a treasure concealed among the mundane.

Thornwood received the delivery in secret, ensuring that no prying eyes would catch a glimpse of the mysterious acquisition. The Earthshaper's Bauble was now in his possession, a potent tool that held the potential to tip the scales of power in his favor.

As he gazed upon the unassuming box, Thornwood couldn't help but smile. The pieces of his intricate plan were falling into place, and the shadows of revenge grew longer with each passing day.

Thornwood, keeping the Earthshaper's Bauble close to his chest, ventured into the hidden depths of the Church where his most trusted and secretive servant waiting. This servant, a skilled fifth circle earth mage, possessed the unique abilities required to attune with the artifact.

In the dimly lit underground chamber hidden deep within the heart of the Church, This chamber, approximately 6 feet by 6 feet in size, had once served as a clandestine vault for Thornwood during his tenure as Archbishop, a place where he concealed his illicit gains acquired from donations, extortion, and other shadowy means, but after relocating his secret wealth to an even more secure location, The chamber now stood empty.

the mage waiting, accepted the artifact with reverence, knowing the significance of this task. The Earthshaper's Bauble, an unassuming dark stone, held latent power that could only be harnessed by one who shared a profound connection with the Earth and its elemental forces. 

As the magician begins the attunement process with the Earthshaper's Bauble, He sits cross-legged in front of it within the dimly lit chamber. The room is filled with the scent of burning incense, creating an aura of mysticism. Candles flicker, casting dancing shadows on the walls.

In the center of the chamber, the mage meticulously draws a magical circle using a mixture of rare monster blood and finely powdered mana stones. The circle's symbols and runes glow with a faint, ethereal light, signifying the fusion of elemental forces and arcane magic.

This circle serves as a conduit, channeling the raw energy from the Earthshaper's Bauble into the magician's being.

  for three days and nights as the ritual progresses, the magical circle pulses in harmony with the attunement process. Arcane symbols briefly flare to life, then fade as the magician's connection with the artifact deepens.

It is a delicate dance of magic and earth, with the circle amplifying the flow of power between the magician and the Bauble.

As the final moments of the attunement ritual passed, the chamber trembled with the surge of a newfound blue-colored power released from the artifact. The magician emerged, his eyes gleaming with a newfound determination and control over the Earthshaper's Bauble.

The artifact had found a worthy master, and its potential was now unleashed in the service of Archbishop Thornwood's dark ambitions.

With the Earthshaper's Bauble attuned, the magician turned his attention to another crucial task. He approached a servant responsible for delivering meals to Archbishop Thornwood and handed over a small, folded note.

"Deliver this for me," he instructed the servant.

The servant, with the note concealed among the tray of food, proceeded to Archbishop Thornwood's room. He knocked on the door and announced his purpose, "Lord, I have come with your evening meal."

Thornwood, deep in thought, granted the servant entry and instructed him to place the food on the table. As the servant carefully arranged the dishes, he whispered in a meek voice, "Lord, do enjoy the potato mash."

While the servant carried out his duties, he discreetly slipped the small, folded note beneath a portion of potato mash. Thornwood remained engrossed in his thoughts and didn't notice the covert exchange taking place right in front of him.

Thornwood mechanically consumed his meal, unaware of the hidden message within the potato mash. It wasn't until his spoon struck something solid that he paused, a quizzical expression on his face. Retrieving the object, he unfolded the concealed note, his eyes scanning the hastily written message: "Master, I have attuned with the artifact."

Thornwood's heart quickened with a mixture of surprise and excitement. His well-orchestrated plans were steadily approaching realization, and he recognized that his secret weapon was now in capable hands.

Thornwood carefully refolded the note and concealed it within his robe, a small smile playing on his lips. The news of the successful attunement with the artifact was a significant step forward in his grand design for revenge.

All while Thornwood weaving his plan like a tarantula weaving his net, Nathan was unaware of this diligently doing the reclamation project, unaware of what horrors it would bring him.