"What a shame... I only have one soul to graze right now."
After trying out the Disciplinary Paladin's Beyonder abilities, Lorne sighed softly.
He had tested all four abilities. Perhaps because this was his first time using them, they had indeed been a little sluggish and slightly delayed, but on the whole, nothing had gone wrong.
For him, a Sequence 4, the spirituality consumption was entirely acceptable.
As for the negative effects described for the Blood Ring-amplifying emotions and enticing him toward corruption-he had barely felt them. Of course, that might also have been because he had only just put it on, and the side effects were not yet obvious.
"If only there weren't that 'soul' requirement," Lorne complained casually.
If it only required characteristics rather than souls, he still had several low- and mid-sequence characteristics on hand that he had no immediate use for. That would let him gain a dozen or so abilities at once. With the right combination, he was confident he could escape unscathed from an attack by any enemy of equal rank.
Unfortunately, Grazing required a complete soul. That was an essential condition for activating the ability.
And judging by Antigonus's message, even a higher-sequence Shepherd could not change that restriction.
Forget it. One step at a time. I'll find a few thoroughly evil bastards to try it on later, Lorne planned.
If those lunatics from the Indulgence Faction really intend to stir up trouble in Backlund, I could go hunting with Sharron and Maric. A Wraith's abilities are extremely useful, too.
As for the evil spirit beneath the villa, he intended to prepare some more equipment, then take Sharron and Maric along to capture it and remove that hidden threat.
"I have to wear it for an hour every day..."
Lorne rubbed the ring