Arcane

• Black Tome of Dwurn Nìldrūn. An illustrated book found in the library of Kry Ōddon, the black tome possesses great magic. In a world that eschews all things extra-dimensional, the black tome appears to subvert that very law. Most people looking into the book seem to disappear, becoming another illustration on the many pages within. It is uncertain what metaphysical mechanic is at work within the book, but thorough experimentation in 652 DR by a group of foolhardy adventurers discovered that by suspending the magic of any illustrated page in the book, its ‘prisoner’ could be released. Those freed suffered great disorientation and appeared unaware of the passage of time and place (since their imprisonment). The nature of the black tome was discovered by Jak of Cænden and Dammon Shroudson, who for a time became victims to the book’s strange magics, but were ‘rescued’ by Alcèrra Nàdrelan. A gambit by Dammon to trap a keep visitor resulted in the book being lost. Anyone opening the black tome and looking at a page must make a Will check or be pulled into its pages. Each page viewed requires a similar check. Pages depict a finely detailed woodcut-style illustration of the person trapped. A dispel magic spell can release one person from one page, but if the book is closed the page affected is random. (4 lb) While attempting to release her companions, Alcèrra Nàdrelan the following people were freed: Gladìa (a Taldàni poet), Idus (an Illyri magician who had found the tome among the ruins of Ildûn), Tanðus (a Panæði priest of Pæð), and Zēlàra (a Zyrri magician, killed by Mishara Mythdaras).
• Codex Yrygarmàndralyth. The cover of this over-sized book consists of complete dried Eylfāe hides, knitted together with leg and back-muscle sinews, precious gems that flare in presence of magic, and hundreds of arcane runes that seem to continuously shift and reorder themselves at an almost unnoticeable speed. The spine and edges are flanged bronze hinges, worked with intricate designs and locks that keep the codex’s contents safe from prying eyes. There are ten keyholes parallel to the spine, one for each of the Circles that lay claim to the book. For centuries, the head of each Circle carried the key around his neck. The book was only opened during meetings of the Council of Ildûn, and then only to reference some piece of magic arcana for which there was debate. The exact contents of the book are not known, though it is believed to have been written by the “hand” of Yrygarmàndralyth (i.e., Dragul of Ildûn) himself. References to the codex, describe that it could be carried on the shoulders of six to eight slaves, all of which were rendered blind and crippled by the task. Other legends list the codex as one of six major books that formed the cornerstones of the Old Empire. An object of vulgar magic even in its own time, the codex was thought to be an example of potent magics, as they were in the First Age. Though many have dedicated themselves to finding the lost book, few have expended more effort than Ingun of Palæð.

Blood

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Miscellanea

• Tome of Gulmören. A golden leather tome with fine parchment pages. The tome is of great age, having been found by Grazzad’s minions in the depths of the Tor’n Evalshat. Though its name is Dwürdèni, the book was not fashioned by them. Gulmören is the name of the Dwürden explorer that brought the book to the Tor’n Evalshat. It is unclear whether he ever used the book. The origin of the book is difficult to determine because the text seems to change (to a degree) to accommodate the reader. The age of this work can be guessed due to the limitations of this ‘feature’, because it appears to only be able to produce language contemporary with its creation. The original purpose of the tome is unknown, but it is believed to have once resided in a library (possibly at Ildûn). Most recently, the tome was found and read by Dammon Shroudson. Anyone who reads the book is gifted with 4 CPs in Leadership. Once read, the lettering of the pages fade for a period of time before the book is ‘re-energized’. If the book becomes ‘ready’ a second time within the reader’s lifetime and he attempts to read again from its pages, the resulting magics are unpredictable. (6 lb)
  • Type: Book
  • Maker: (–?–)
  • Quality: Fine leather & lambskin parchment
  • Advantages: Grants 4 CPs of BASp204 Leadership
  • Disadvantages: Lim. Text disappears once read for unknown interval

Spirit