Ralph and the Pixie

Gannet, who had been listening to this exchange, his features stony, said, ‘These Necropheids, they are a tenuous thing, you say, only half in the world of the living. If they be so insubstantial, then why do we not put them to the sword, or drive them off with fire?’

Spurred on by Gannet’s bravado, several nearby muttered assent, but Birin was quick to quash talk of any such action.

‘I doubt not your bravery, Gannet, nor your willingness to do battle with Demons, should the need arise; but Necropheids and other fell creatures of the Netherworld cannot be brought to heel with arms or by main strength. The sword is not a weapon fit to contest the arcane might of the sort of deadly soul-sickness these creatures wield.’ He looked from eye to eye around the circle to enforce his will in the matter. ‘Let no one take it upon himself to confront these creatures. Even were you to survive such an encounter, your survival would be short-lived. Even if you be a mighty man of arms like Gannet here, you would soon begin to sicken, with a malady beyond the skill of our best Healers. And in the end you would beg for death, or for the strength to take your own life. There will be no more talk of waylaying these creatures.’