[✗] [Magic Invention Lore] Void Crystals and The Aegis Seal

[E__V__O 1984]

The Halls of Creation buzzed with magi frantic in their research. Theory and debate echoed throughout the Guild, as it’s eldest members set about pioneering the cure to the blighted lands at their doorstep. Each solution seemed to uncover problems tenfold, as new concepts were tested and thrown out. Two ancient minds of The Mage’s Guild, centuries along in their practice, came to settle on one coherent idea. Although it was found that even pursuing ingenuity into its veritable horizon could not quell a disaster of such scale… 

 

“I hope to rectify the taint with assistance of those around me, from druids, shamans and other void magi I've come to the conclusion that to begin we must start with how the void works...” - Evo’lur Tartarus, on the nature of Voidal Taint

 

 

The Void Crystal

A handheld Focus crystal that has been embedded with the essence of both Void and Creation, and thus aptly named for its function. This anomalous stone is, in essence, a product of Voidal Artificery incited by the need to curb the devastation of magical disaster. The Void Crystal is an altered form of the Focus crystal, having been touched by the spellcraft of a master Alterationist.

 

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/13/74/f8/1374f84acdbaf6d4405a1e6c383553fe.jpg

 

Creation:

Voidal Artificers at the height of their craft may cast a greater Imbuement spell upon a Focus Crystal, shifting it’s core function. Focus Crystals are known for their ability to allow casters to channel the Void with great tact; As such, these artificers have found that intricately applying their artform could create an inverse effect. Effectively, the layers of Mana are articulated in such a way that these Void Crystals act as a one way vacuum for Voidal Energy. The potency of the effects necessitates creation in the presence of a Mana Obelisk.

 

Effects:

Focus crystals are commonly used as conductors of magical energy, and the advent of the Void Crystal introduces the inverse. These eldritch stones were found to be able to intake a large swathe of Voidal Energy and keep it within its crystalized bearing for transport and safekeeping. Primarily colored by the Aura of the Mage who has imbued the spell, the Void Crystal is sequentially darkened to the deepest hues and the darkest tints of said Aura once it has expunged an area of Mana Residual for the first time. Minor mana residual from excess spell casting darkens the Crystal to a lesser extent. The Crystal’s effects may be used to contain smaller bouts of Voidal energy that has seeped into the Material realm. The active effect occurs gradually over four emotes wherein the afflicted plot of land, in a 4x4 radius, slowly returns to its natural state. Void Crystals will not restore the life of flora and fauna, yet it frees the area from the Voidal influence so that nature may take hold again over time. Passively, the Crystals will soak in mana residual radiated from a handful of spell casts in a radius around them, functionally a 10x10 area surrounding the stone. The power dedicated to the metaphysical vacuum is what prevents the mass of energy from escaping prematurely and as such this energy cannot be reused, controlled, or manipulated while trapped in the crystalline form. The only safe way to dispel the contained Voidal energy is through the Residuum, or other applicable methods such as Druidic Blight Healing. 

 

On Destruction

Should the Crystal suffer a direct blow from any sufficient blunt force or spell after absorbing Mana Residual, the energy will release in a localized explosion and latch onto the surroundings once again. The force of the blast is insufficient to cause a major knockback effect, but the crystal shrapnel will embed in nearby soft tissue.

 

On Mana Residual

Mana Residual is the byproduct of accessing the void, done by; connection to the void, casting spells, mana obelisk radius and voidal tears. Voidal hallows as well have mana residual however the energy is heavily concentrated it cannot be cured due to the mana instantaneously filling the area once more.

 

Redlines:

• Primarily for player events and narrative functions.
• Structurally identical to Focus Crystals
• May not be used to refuel one’s mana
• RO permission is required to spread mana residual from a broken Crystal, using void associated blocks.
• The size of the Void Crystal dictates the amount of Voidal energies it can intake; A palm sized gem can soak in mana residual of 4 spells or house voidal mana residual within a 4x4 area of land over 4 emotes. Each additional inch in length allots a growth of 1, up to 8 spells and an 8x8 area of land over 8 emotes.
• The Void Crystal does not stop, cease or prevent the function of void magic. Rather it ‘soaks’ up the taint caused by it.
• Attempting to use the void crystal to ‘vacuum’ mana residual in hallows will fill the crystal but do no clearing of the void affliction.
• The Crystals are enchantable, but will surrender any of the above utilities rendering them as a simple aesthetic option, akin to mage the durability of mage gold / Arcanium.
• If made to the durability of Arcanium, it requires the same roll chance as the implemented arcanium lore, including the modifyers (Better chance with more players/mana obeslisk, ext).
• Void Crystal enchantments do not produce any mana residual/voidal corruption.
• The Imbuement spell from Voidal Artificery lore is required to create Void Crystals.
• Requires ST Signing.

 

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“In times of great unbalance, we magi must rise from our libraries to restore peace to the Material realm. When the few err, it reflects on us all…”  - Archmage Eliza on the fall of Ando Alur

 

The Aegis Seal

Beholden to it’s primal nature, it is found that Mortal greed is insurmountable by any Arcane theory. Thus at wits end in the wake of the colossal endeavor of answering the structure of voidal tears, a binding ritual was conceived; The final claim of a Voidal mage on the Material. Not one that would bring relief to the victims of errant Arcana, but perhaps one that would carry the light of hope forward for the coming generations of spellcasters. Voidal Tears, which have long been considered the pinnacle of arcane ingenuity will now have a lock. Those who take on the mantle of the keybearer must know the gravity of their cosmic responsibility.

 

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/d0/7d/83/d07d833c3605dadf513f07b32b01489f.jpg

 

Ritual

A sum of magi equal to the number which produced the Tear must gather for this ritual; Among them must be a leading Voidal Artificer, accompanied by equal parts Translocaters and Transfigurers. The Artificer themself may supplant one of the aforementioned caster types. Armed with Void Crystals relative to the size of the Tear, the assembled magi begin. An Arcane circle is drawn upon the ground with powdered focus crystal, and each mage assumes a stance around its circumference. The antithetical stones are introduced onto the Tear, yet like other materials their forms are not immediately disseminated but instead destabilizes the rift and pulls the eldritch energy towards an epicenter. The Void Crystals by design alone cannot undertake the task of closing a rift, so requiring more applied measures. Hereafter, the Voidal Artificer and their throng of coupled magi must channel vast swathes of mana into the crystal. Inlaid with the spellweaving must be the intent of closure or sealing, in order for the Mana to actualize. A greater catalyst is yet required, as the leading Artificer must render a portion of their own Soul into the Void Crystal to endow the Ritual with a more potent force. A drastic but necessary sacrifice all in the name of upholding balance. With all of the elements at play, the flow of corrupting energy from Void to Material emanated by the Tear is effectively reversed.

 

Requirements

A Tier 3 Voidal Artificer, aided by at least one Tier 5 Transfigurer/ Translocater scaling to be even with the number of Magi that participated in the initial creation of the Tear. Each further coupling of magi eases the strain that the Ritual imposes upon the Mana Pool.

 

• One 15cm Void Crystal per 5m of Rift size.

 

Effects on the Group

Intentionally leaving one's soul adjacent to the Vast Infinite for any period of time is widely unheard of due to many anticipated dangers. Following the ritual, the Artificer responsible must endure exactly this and his cohorts a more mild variation.

 

Visions

At ritual end, debilitating visions permeate the minds of the mages, showing them potential realities wherein the fabric of reality was flippantly torn asunder by rogue magi. This grandiose invasion of the mindspace is enough to inspire fear and paranoia, long lasting indeed, such that discomfort in the presence of Voidal Tears and Voidally Afflicted spaces is commonplace; I.e. Obelisks, the presence of Voidstalkers, Horrors, etc.

 

• Each player character who participated in the Ritual must adhere to these effects for one IRL week.
   

Wilting

Imparted only onto the one valiant, or foolish, enough to surrender a part of their soul for the greater good. The wisdom of the true nature of the Void; That there is no warm embrace, no romanticism between Mortal man and this vast Realm. Naught but that which can only be articulated as Advanced Voidal Atrophy. A truly wilted state, such that one would not bear any sort of arms or armor. Those who push the boundaries of mortality too far know this fate well.

 

• This effect cannot be purged by means of Soul magic.
• A majority of weaponry can no longer be wielded to any significant effect, and garb is restricted to light fabrics with leathers being the extent of viable armor.
• Daggers, Staves, Tomes, and other similar casting implements with minor combative effectiveness are considered acceptable to wield.
• Physical activity becomes increasingly difficult; Jogging requires significant exertion, and a full on sprint is no longer practical.
• The voidal artificer leading the ritual will suffer these effects for one IRL month. After the time period, the part of the artificer soul heals, returning for them to lead another ritual.

 

After the Ritual

Visually, the Voidal Crystals rapidly expand in mass and solidify across the entirety of the Tear. This process can be guided, such that the formation is built aesthetically- otherwise the Crystal takes on jagged and harsh formations. In any case this is the signal of a successful ritual; The Tear is ultimately stabilized by the Seal. Within the crystalline barrier, the inverted flow of Voidal energy is repurposed to stitch together the fabric of reality that was torn. The unnatural unease that once gripped the locale begins to release, and the eldritch hum that filled the air hushes. The boons that Mages found of use are no longer provided. The tear now sealed and an inert power pulls against the mana residual scarred on the land. A First Stage Tear may be effectively abated hereafter. For Tears in the Second or Third Stage, an addition of one and two OOC week(s) respectively will be required, scaling down in intensity over the duration. A Natured or Mature Tear will take four OOC weeks. 

 

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Residuum

The fused Void Crystals utilized in the ritual are all that remains after the final thrum of the Voidal Tear that has been sealed away. Now one seamless whole, this structure hereby notated as Residuum, hovers in place where the Tear once was. Varied in size determined by the nature of the Rift that it encompassed, these anomalous composites of Mana and Soul Essence extend a greater effect upon the surroundings, offering a place to empty out filled Void Crystals.

 

https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/covers/images/010/469/053/smaller_square/denis-blinov-ice-thumb.jpg?1524596461

 

Functions

The Residuum is a structure that’ll function eerily similar to mana obelisks with exceptions, it doesn’t produce mana residual/void corruption and while within the Residuum’s radius it’ll draw in mana residual/corruption returning it to the void. The radius of the effect is based on the encompassed size of the Residuum and the magi who partook in the ritual. The residuum offers the only way for Void Crystals to safely dispose of mana residual trapped within.

 

On Destruction

The structure is nigh impervious to any ordinary bout of Physical or Magical damage. Mundane methods no less than siege-strength war machines, or a barrage of Tier 5 spells may shatter the Residuum. In this case, the Descendant Soul fragment that was nestled within the Residuum returns to its progenitor if not already.

 

Redlines

• Closing a Voidal Tear requires ST approval. It doesn’t require RO permission.
• You cannot close non-player made tears, unless exclusive permission is granted by ST.
• Requires at least two magi to participate in the Ritual, with one possessing the Voidal Artificery Feat and the other tier 5 Transfiguration or Translocation.
• Player characters may aid in more than one Aegis Seal ritual, but may not separate their Soul more than once at any given time. The banes do not stack.
• Destruction of a Tear is outlined in the Voidal Tearing lore piece, and should be abided by.
• If the Sealing process is stopped or reversed with or without detonation, the Soul fragment disperses. Eventually the fragment returns to its owner and the ritual may be attempted again after a period of 2 OOC months.
• Residuum may be destroyed by anyone with ST oversight.
• Residuum has all functions of a void/mana obelisk detailed above.
• Residuum can only be moved during the first month of its creation.

 

Purpose

I felt that Mages needed a creative way to interact with current and future Voidal Taint narratives. It’s important that we’re not having our characters amble around clueless of our own consequences. The arcane community should have an option to approach responsibility too and not leave deity users feeling as though they are just janitors for crazy mages.

 

Credits:

FadedQuartz- Ideas, Conception

E__V__O- Ideas, Conception

Squak- Ideas, Feedback, Review

 

Citations:

Voidal Artificery Lore

 

 

Focus Crystal Lore

 

 

Mana Obelisk Lore

 

 

Voidal Tearing Lore

 

 

[SaviourMeme 694]

Good stuff

[ronin_champloo 5951]

I hate jennybobbs he literally does so much bad stuff ew ew ew he powergames and loopholes I despise him.

plz rep this comment if ur an ST who dislikes Jennybobbs and will hit it with a 'deny' bcuz he wrote it, ty

+1

[Kalehart 1063]

This lore has been denied. You will be sent a forum PM regarding the reasons for denial within the next 24 hours.