Encouragement to stay alive and a unique boss drop

Lyrissa gently tilts your head up and slightly to the side before leaning in and pressing her lips to yours. They are warm and soft, and the kiss is so sweet you find yourself responding before your conscious mind catches up. You've pulled her into a hug, causing her armored chest to press against yours, with one of your hands gently stroking her hair. You both pull back reluctantly, and you blink, then shake your head.

"Uh..."

Lyrissa laughs softly. "Call it a reason to stay alive, hmm?" She gives you a cheeky grin. "That and you're actually pretty cute. And fairly sweet."

You blink. No-one has called you either of those things since... since you got chased out of your home city by the nobles' guards. A pity you don't remember the name of the city, or the nobles that did it. Part of you wants to deal with them as they'd have liked to deal with you.

"You're even cuter when you blush like that," her smile brightens, then she sighs. "I'm afraid this is where we have to part ways, though. I'm pretty sure you can't come into Evergreen with me. Stay alive 'till I can come visit you again and then maybe we can go on a proper date instead of just clearing a dingy old ruin."

The 'party dissolved' chime sounds, and she starts the trek back, waving to you. You sigh, and turn back to your tower. If you're going to stay alive to see your friend and... You admit it to yourself, your crush again, you're going to have to put some real effort into your tower and your gear.

Speaking of, you can probably cover whatever you got from the ex-boss as you travel. As if prompted, the popup you had dismissed while healing Lyrissa immediately shows up. It probably was prompted, you suppose.

Congratulations!

You have defeated the Necromancers Shade and earned a Conquest Bonus!

Roll Loot Now?

Conquest Bonus is highlighted, so you shrug and press it. Information is good.

Conquest bonus:

By claiming your Lair via defeating its' previous owner, you have triggered the 'Conquest' Bonus! This grants you a unique drop based on your class and role, and the category your foe belonged to.

Interesting. Given the fact that you're a necromancer, and they were undead... You're expecting something to do with necromancy. You dismiss the informational tab, and trigger the lootroll. The first two aren't terribly exciting- a Cloak of Shadows, useful for rogues and thieves, and a set of Darkened Chain, an armor that is slightly better then chain but most notably doesn't give penalties to hide. If it weren't for the fact that they're untradable, you'd consider giving it to Lyrissa. As a Ranger, she'd find it helpful. The third is useful to you- A Robe of Darkness, a better body equipment slot would not go amiss, but it's the Conquest Bonus drop that really catches your eye.

Black Opal Staff

This fine magestaff has an inlaid tracery of gems as black as their owners' heart.

+3 melee

+15% casting speed

+10% spell damage for Necromancy spells

+5% damage for non-Necromancy spells

Upgradeable

Well. You're a bit hesitant to pick up an item with 'Gems as black as your heart' but the bonuses are incredible. And casting speed is something you are in **** need of. A tad reluctantly, you select the Staff and equip it.

As soon as the staff is in your hand, light strikes the inlaid gems and they shine, glimmering in a myriad of rich colors. Not a hint of black to be found. Pretty, really. And... If this is as black as your heart is, you were apparently being rather hard on yourself. Much more cheerfully, you continue your walk back to your new home.